Wisconsin Police Journal - July 2018 • Vol. 86, No. 3 The Official Publication of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association Perspectives on POLICING Plus U.S. Supreme Court Union Dues Ruling: How it could affect you and the services you receive. p. 4 Public Perception Survey Results LEO Survey ResultsWisconsin Police Journal - 2 Wisconsin Professional Police Association July 2018 • Vol. 86, No. 3 OFFICERS President – Todd Hoover, Racine Vice President – Lisa Gerbig, Onalaska Sups. Treasurer – Mike Chinander, Eau Claire Secretary – Scott Jennings, Juneau County Sergeant at Arms – Nichelle Nelson, Waukesha DIRECTORS Brian Barbour – Oneida County Steven Bartels – Waukesha James Brigham – Dane County William Chesen – Retirees Jeffrey Darst – Superior Dale Gerbig, II – La Crosse John Hetland – Racine Mark Hollister – Chippewa County Ted Knoeck – Marathon County Dennis LeCaptain – Janesville Travis Levandowski – Portage County Kevin Linsmeier – Madison Daniel Littleton – Minocqua Kurt Pierce – Dane County Sups. Tom Poss – Appleton Kelly Powers – Madison Robert Richardson – Dane County Kyle Roder – Eau Claire Andrew Rosenow – La Crosse Trevor Rud – Pepin County Nick Stachula – West Allis Travis Tuttle – Fond du Lac EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James L. Palmer, II GENERAL OPERATIONS OFFICE 660 John Nolen Dr., Suite 300, Madison WI 53713 (608) 273-3840; (800) 362-8838; (608) 273-3904 Fax Web Site: www.wppa.com Editor and Design: Julie Neeley Printing: Thysse Printing; Oregon, WI 53575 CORRESPONDENCE Address all magazine editorial correspondence to: WPPA, 660 John Nolen Dr., Suite 300, Madison WI 53713. POSTMASTER: send address changes to: Wisconsin Police Journal 660 John Nolen Dr., Suite 300, Madison, WI 53713 ABOUT THE WISCONSIN POLICE JOURNAL The WISCONSIN POLICE JOURNAL (ISSN 1086-5187) Vol. 86, No. 3, is owned and published by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, 660 John Nolen Dr., Suite 300, Madison, WI 53713. The WISCONSIN POLICE JOURNAL is published quarterly (January, April, July, and October) and is circulated to dues-paying members of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. Members’ subscriptions are included in dues. For retirees and non-members, the subscription price is $12 per year. Subscriptions will be accepted only from bona fide law enforcement officers and students enrolled in law enforcement. COPYRIGHT & POSTAGE Periodical Postage Paid at Madison, Wisconsin, and additional mailing offices. Material contained herein shall not be reproduced in any form without express advanced written permission. Manuscripts and photos will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed, stamped envelope. Copyright© 2018 Wisconsin Professional Police Association Purposes And Aims Of The Wisconsin Police Journal The Official Publication of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association The Wisconsin Police Journal is the voice of thousands of WPPA members throughout Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Police Journal is dedicated to the following principles: • To disseminate important news and information affecting the WPPA membership. • To publicize the purposes, programs and public service projects of the WPPA. • To inform government officials and state legislators of the problems and concerns of the membership. • To inform the citizens of Wisconsin of the duties of the law enforcement officer and to encourage public acceptance of, and compliance with, the laws of the state. • To reflect the proper and deserved image of law enforcement officers in order to help them perform their responsibilities to provide security for all persons and protect the rights of the individual regardless of race, creed or religion. • To defend and promote the integrity of law enforcement officers who, at great personal sacrifice, are devoting their lives and careers to the noble profession of law enforcement. Wisconsin Police Journal - 2 DATES TO REMEMBER 2018 August 12 - 13 WPPA Golf Tournament hosted by Dunn County and Menomonie August 19 - 20 WPPA Pistol Shoot hosted by Marathon County September 9 - 11 41st Annual Musky Hunt, Minocqua 2019 May 4 - 5 The WPPA's 87th Annual Convention, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells May 10 WPPA Pancake Breakfast, Olin Park, Madison May 10 Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony, State Capitol If you have an emergency, please call (608) 273-3840, local or toll- free, (800) 362-8838 and follow the prompt to be put in touch with the appropriate staff. Please note: In observance of national holidays, all WPPA Offices will be closed September 3.MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT As I kick-off this issue of the WPJ, it is my privilege to welcome into the WPPA’s proud membership ranks the officers in Menasha and New Berlin, the supervisory officers from Oneida County, Sun Prairie and Everest Metro, and the public safety officers in Palmyra as well. As those of us in law enforcement confront the most challenging era we’ve faced, it is very gratifying to see more and more officers drawn to the collective strength and capabilities of Wisconsin’s largest law enforcement group. The WPPA is the voice of our law enforcement community, and that voice grows stronger with each and every member. I’m also very excited to announce that the WPPA’s website (wppa.com) has been totally revamped and updated. While the website has long been a great informational resource for officers, it is now more user-friendly than ever. Please take a moment to check it out and tell us what you think. If you believe the website should include something that it currently doesn’t, feel free to contact either me or WPPA Executive Director Jim Palmer directly, as we always strive to be responsive to the needs of our members. For example, since the WPPA launched its Extended Legal Protection Plan in January, members suggested that we make it easier to enroll in the plan online. We heard those suggestions loud and clear, and the new website now makes it even easier for members to enroll in the ELPP swiftly and securely. In this issue of the magazine, you’ll learn more about the WPPA’s efforts to drive the public dialogue on law enforcement issues. In the last few months, the organization did two separate studies – a poll of state residents and a survey of active officers – to gauge their perceptions on a range of issues that impact us. The insights from both are fascinating, and the WPPA has garnered considerable media coverage in promoting the results as it works to educate the public about policing and provide a credible voice of reason. This issue also discusses the impact of a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court and how it could impact you. While I know that some unions around the state and country are expecting to be impacted negatively by the court’s ruling, I feel confident that the WPPA is in a very strong position. At a time when our actions are closely scrutinized and heavily criticized, I, for one, am not willing to “take my chances” by refusing to pay dues and revoking my WPPA membership. If I need help in the middle of the night, I want my call answered, and if necessary, I want legal representation that is knowledgeable about policing and the rules governing our use of force. Only the WPPA can provide that guidance, and I know that most of our members feel the same way. The fact that the WPPA’s membership continues to expand stems from the hard work and talents of our staff, and from the dedication of your board of directors as well. The WPPA’s board consists of officers that are elected from all across the state, and it is committed to safeguarding the WPPA’s standing as the most effective advocate for the brave men and women that keep our communities safe. Whether it’s in the WPPA’s ability to lobby state policy makers on the laws that impact how we do our jobs, to fight for us in the courts of law and public opinion, to secure the pay and benefits that we deserve, or to provide us with representation at any time of the day or night, the WPPA’s elected leadership and the staff it oversees are committed to making sure that the WPPA is there to help us when we need them the most. In the same way that we maintain insurance policies to protect our homes and our vehicles, membership in the WPPA not only serves to insure our livelihoods, but our profession as a whole. Thank you for the services that you loyally provide to your communities to keep them safe, and thank you for your loyalty to law enforcement’s greatest champion, the WPPA. We’ve got your six. Todd Hoover Comments and letters can be sent to hoover1803@ sbcglobal.net Wisconsin Police Journal - 3 find us on facebook: The Wisconsin Professional Police Association fWisconsin Police Journal - 4 Enrollment In New WPPA Extended Legal Plan Soars Mirroring what’s occurring nationally, Wisconsin has seen numerous law enforcement officers charged criminally or sued civilly in the last few years for their actions in the line of duty. In 2011, for instance, a La Crosse County deputy was charged for a fatal squad accident that occurred while responding to a fellow officer’s urgent calls for help. In 2017, a Milwaukee officer was tried criminally and acquitted for fatally shooting an armed man during a traffic stop. Just last month, a mistrial was declared in the criminal trial of a Brown Deer officer in the non-fatal shooting of a 370-pound man that was overpowering both her and her partner in a physical struggle. Though none of these officers were convicted (prosecutors are currently considering whether to refile charges against the Brown Deer officer), each of them has incurred upwards of $100,000 in legal bills. The financial costs that a criminal prosecution can impose upon an officer are enormous, adding a huge burden to the emotional and physical toll that any critical incident already takes on an officer that was just doing their job. For that reason, the WPPA recently created its new Extended Legal Protection Plan. The ELPP is a pre-paid legal plan that will cover all of your legal costs if you are charged criminally or sued civilly for actions done in the line of duty. In addition, because we've seen far too many officers frustrated with issues related to statutory claims such as worker's compensation and duty disability, the plan extends to cover those vital areas as well. For the first time ever, the WPPA can now protect you on a broader scale through a comprehensive new plan – one that you can’t afford not to have. Since it was launched in January, over 500 WPPA members have already enrolled in the ELPP, and the WPPA office has been very busy processing the new enrollments that come in every day. As Wisconsin’s largest law enforcement group, the WPPA has established a long and proud history of working to protect you at the bargaining table, in the legislature, and within the communities you serve. Our in-house attorneys currently represent members in a wide variety of areas that are connected to your employment and the collective bargaining agreements that govern that vital service. WPPA attorneys also represent members in critical incidents that are not addressed by your contracts, such as when officers are involved in shootings, squad accidents, or in-custody deaths. In short, we have been widely recognized as having the most legal experience of anyone in the state when it comes to the dedicated men and women that police our state. Despite the unparalleled level of services that we provide, the WPPA is committed to expanding its capacity to serve you and confront the ever-changing challenges that you face. Increasingly around the country, officers are finding themselves being targeted by ambitious prosecutors hoping to score political points and opportunistic civil attorneys eager to score a quick settlement – all because officers were forced to act to protect themselves and the lives of others. The Extended Legal Protection Plan was established to provide you and your families with a safety net of additional legal coverage to give you the peace of mind you need as you work to keep the peace in our communities. Extended Legal Protection Plan Highlights: 1. Under this optional plan, the WPPA will cover all of the costs in connection to the following types of legal matters that are not currently covered by your WPPA membership: Criminal defense in actions stemming from conduct performed in the capacity of a law enforcement officer; Civil defense (e.g., civil rights claims) in actions stemming from conduct performed in the capacity of a law enforcement officer for which an officer’s employer does not provide representation; Worker’s compensation cases; and Duty disability cases. 2. This plan is only available to full-service members in good standing and members from retainer local associations that do not have binding arbitration. 3. Each member must enroll in the extended plan on an individual basis by completing the plan contract available at www.wppa.com and by submitting the annual plan fee. Local associations may pay for their members out of their treasuries, but the WPPA must receive a signed extended plan contract and the annual plan fee for each individual member in order for them to be enrolled. 4. The annual fee for this extended legal plan is $72. 5. The plan even covers outside (non-WPPA) attorneys that have been vetted and approved by the WPPA. For more information about this ground-breaking new service option, or to enroll and begin receiving the added protection that it provides, go to our website at www.wppa.com. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓Wisconsin Police Journal - 5 Critical Incident Update Members of the WPPA’s field and legal staff responded to assist the officers involved in several new critical incidents since the April issue of the Wisconsin Police Journal reached your homes. This included a fatal shooting in Fox Crossing, non-fatal shootings in Appleton and Racine, a pursuit in Shawano County that resulted in a fatality, and another pursuit involving officers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department that did not. These latest additions bring the total number of critical incidents to which our staff has been dispatched to 15 thus far for the year. Much in the same way that you have answered the call to protect your communities, the WPPA’s dedicated staff is there to protect you – regardless of the time of day or night. Our emergency answering service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so whether it's for a critical incident involving an officer-involved shooting, or for a member who was just ordered to an internal disciplinary interview, urgent calls from WPPA members receive a quick and immediate response, protecting and supporting our members when they need us the most. It is very common for a WPPA business agent and attorney to respond to the scene of our members’ critical incidents whenever and wherever they occur. Year in and year out, the WPPA represents more officers involved in critical incident situations than any other group or law firm, and it is that dedication and performance that has helped propel our consistent growth. The U.S. Supreme Court Issues Historic Ruling on Union Dues On June 27, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its decision in the case of Janus v. AFSCME. In short, the Court held that a public employee member of a union can choose not to pay union dues, despite the fact that the employee is covered under a collective bargaining agreement negotiated and protected by a union. This ruling takes effect immediately, and it impacts every public employee in the country, including law enforcement officers, despite what might otherwise be provided under either Wisconsin law or your contract. Following the Court’s decision, which overturned the rule of law that had existed for the last 41 years, the WPPA has worked to educate its members to briefly explain this development, and how it could affect officers that refuse to pay dues and revoke their WPPA membership. While law enforcement officers are accustomed to having their actions closely evaluated under a microscope and held to an extremely high standard of conduct (whether on duty or not), never before have officers been the subject of such extraordinary scrutiny on the part of politicians, the news media, and the general public. Whether it’s in our effective representation of members on a 24/7 basis in the immediate wake of critical incidents, safeguarding the terms of your employment and the job protections upon which you and your families rely, or in advocating on legislative proposals that impact your ability to do your jobs, the WPPA has established a wide variety of services to benefit the brave men and women of law enforcement officers in Wisconsin. While the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision now allows you to refuse to pay union dues and revoke your status as a WPPA member if you so choose, it is very important that you are aware of the implications of that choice. If you continue to pay dues and maintain your status… If you continue to pay your dues to the WPPA, you will not experience any changes to the services that you receive, and you will never pay more for those services than the monthly dues amount. If, however, the WPPA determines that too many of the officers employed by your department have refused to pay dues, we will withdraw as your local association’s representative, and all of the officers working for your department will lose the ability to have the WPPA assist them in any matter involving their employment. If you revoke your status as a WPPA member and refuse to pay dues, you will no longer be eligible for some important services: 1. Legal representation for critical incidents. Through its 24/7 emergency hotline, the WPPA regularly provides legal representation to its members at all hours of the day and night for events like officer- involved shootings, use-of-force confrontations, squad accidents, and in-custody deaths. These legal services will not be provided to an officer that has revoked their status as a WPPA member and ceases paying dues Continued on page 9 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT James L. Palmer, II Comments and letters can be sent to palmer@wppa.com or on Twitter @JimPalmerwiWisconsin Police Journal - 6 COVER STORY A Survey of Officers and Public Poll Reveal Stark Views on Policing In general, law enforcement groups around the country lack a genuine media presence. They are either largely silent on the issues facing officers, or they struggle to have their voices heard at all. In fact, police groups of all sizes with little or no experience in dealing with the media find themselves stuck in the unfortunate position of having to respond to controversies when they arise, and the resulting clumsiness that occurs ends up feeding negative media narratives and reflecting badly on law enforcement officers broadly. Regardless of where it occurs, anytime a police union leader refers to minority demonstrators as a “lynch mob” or “pack of rabid animals,” new life is given to an already controversial media topic. Such missteps not only cause those in law enforcement to be painted, at a minimum, as racially insensitive, but they also serve to substantially deprive the police groups involved with the opportunity to serve any credible role in the public debates that surround their officers. Six years ago, as part of a broader strategic effort to expand its ability to protect and advocate for its members, the WPPA commissioned its first public poll on a wide variety of law enforcement issues. In the intervening years, we have established ourselves as a national leader when it comes to proactively soliciting the views of the public, and then using that information to drive the public dialogue on issues that, for our membership, touch very close to home. For instance, we’ve used past polls to demonstrate that the public’s approval of law enforcement is very high and that people think keeping them safe from crime should be government’s top priority. We’ve also used our polling as a platform to inform those who maintain incorrect perceptions regarding law enforcement’s use of force. The WPPA’s annual polling effort, along with the statewide media campaign that follows it each year, as served Wisconsin’s officers exceptionally-well. Discussed later in this article, the results from our 2018 poll were especially significant. This year, we decided to expand our knowledge base and reach even further – by requesting the insight of law enforcement’s rank-and-file. In April, as officers from across the state gathered at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells to attend the WPPA’s 86th Annual Convention, we conducted a survey to learn how those in law enforcement feel about their jobs, their departments, and their profession. The results were very informative, and they reveal a great deal about the dedicated men and women that keep Wisconsin safe, and of the challenges facing our law enforcement community as a whole. Through the invaluable insights provided through our public poll and officer survey, the WPPA is extraordinarily well- equipped to advocate on behalf of officers and their call to public service. The WPPA continues to stand strong and lead the way as we fight to protect you and the important jobs that you do, and to otherwise help you confront the challenges of the future. LEO Survey Results The WPPA’s Law Enforcement Officer Survey was conducted April 20-21 at our annual convention in Wisconsin Dells. Each officer in attendance was asked to complete a brief six-question survey when they checked into the event. In total, 103 officers from 30 geographically-dispersed agencies completed the questionnaire. Question 1: Compared to five years ago, how would you rate your safety while on-duty as a law enforcement officer? Question 2: How satisfied are you with your job?Wisconsin Police Journal - 7 Question 3: How satisfied are you with your agency? Question 4: I would recommend law enforcement as a good profession? Question 5: Compared to five years ago, how would you rate the morale of the officers in your department? Question 6: Compared to five years ago, my department is having difficulty attracting qualified candidates? Takeaways Officer Safety: Only 11% of the officers surveyed indicated their belief that their jobs are safer than five years ago, while 65% indicated that their jobs have become less safe. Job Satisfaction: Despite the fact that a majority of officers believe their jobs have become more dangerous, the vast majority of the officers surveyed (74%) indicated some degree of job satisfaction. Satisfaction with Agency: A majority of the officers surveyed (59%) indicated being satisfied with their agencies, though interestingly, an equal proportion of officers reported being either “highly satisfied” or “highly dissatisfied.” Law Enforcement as a Profession: On the question of whether they would recommend law enforcement as a profession, the intensity of the responses were broadly dispersed, with the majority of officers (65%) indicating that they either “moderately disagree” or “somewhat agree” that law enforcement is a good profession, and an almost equal proportion of officers indicated that they either “strongly disagree” (18%) or “strongly agree” (15%) that they would recommend the profession. Nonetheless, the fact that nearly half of the officers surveyed (46%) indicated that they would not recommend law enforcement as a good profession is a troubling sign, and may suggest that this is a critical time for those in the law enforcement profession. Morale: A majority of the officers surveyed (53%) indicated that the morale within their department has declined in the last five years, while only 21% of officers indicated an improvement. Recruitment: An alarming percentage of the officers surveyed (87%) reported that their agency is having more difficulty attracting qualified candidates than five years ago. The intensity of the responses from officers that “strongly” agree with this statement (57%) is especially noteworthy. The WPPA‘s 2018 Statewide Poll Our 2018 Public Perception poll was the 6th annual study commissioned by the organization. It was conducted by the St. Norbert College Strategic Research Institute from February 26 to March 28 of 400 Wisconsin residents (250 landline, 150 by cell phone) through a Random Digit Dial sampling strategy. The poll represented a scientific random sample of the people that live in Wisconsin, and the data was weighted to more accurately reflect the state’s demographic make-up. • Community Priorities: Keeping community safe from crime #1 six years running! • Your local police force-do you approve or disapprove how it handles its job? 85% approve • Having a well-funded police force improves quality of life? 93 agree • Dangerousness of being a police officer over past five years? 49% more dangerous • Would you favor or oppose requiring law enforcement officers to wear body video cameras? 94% favor →• Marijuana should be legal to use in Wisconsin for: 1. Medical and recreational purposes - 39% agree 2. Only for medical purposes - 45% agree 3. Not be made legal - 15% agree • Do you think police officers should treat people addicted to opioids as criminal offenders or persons in need of care and treatment? 77% care and treatment; 16% criminal offenders • Do you favor or oppose allowing law enforcement officers to negotiate a contract with their employers over their wages and benefits? 72% favor; 22% oppose For more information about the WPPA’s 2018 Poll, which includes a listing of the statewide media coverage that it received, please visit us at www.wppa.com. Law Enforcement Wisconsin Law Enforcement Museum of Valor As those in law enforcement know, President Kennedy proclaimed in 1962 the week of May 15 as ‘National Police Week’, effectively designating it as a time during which our country annually recognizes those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. To increase the public’s awareness of Police Week and its importance, the MoV went to the airwaves again this past May with a statewide radio ad that ran on over 70 affiliated AM and FM stations served by the Wisconsin Radio Network. “Our public safety and the quality of life that we enjoy come at a cost,” said MoV CEO Jim Palmer. “With the latest statistics indicating an increase in the number of officers being shot and killed in the line of duty, it’s more important than ever that we recognize the law enforcement community’s service and sacrifice.” On May 18, Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza hosted a “Pizza with Police” event benefitting the MoV outside the Kohl Center in Madison. A proud partner of Wisconsin athletics, Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza organized the event, which featured an assortment of awesome family- oriented games and photo opportunities, including the Heisman Trophy, Paul Bunyan’s Axe, and Bucky Badger. In addition to terrific pizza, the event also provided some wonderful opportunities for the public to interact with officers from the Madison Police Department, UW-Madison Police Department, and the Dane County (L-R) Jim Palmer and Matt Selvig Sheriff’s Office, who brought its Bomb Squad truck and robot. By all accounts, those who came out to participate had lots of fun. Special thanks to Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza for their continued support! Looking ahead, if you haven’t already made plans to attend the annual End of Watch Memorial Golf Outing (EOW) at the Whispering Springs Golf Course in Fond du Lac on July 16, please consider doing so right away. If you can’t make it this year, we encourage you to check it out in the future. One of the MoV’s founding partners, the EOW contributes to the MoV every year, in addition to supporting scholarships for students pursuing a law enforcement career at Fox Valley Technical College. You can learn more about the EOW and its premier event to celebrate the officers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice by going to the “End of Watch Memorial (EOW)” page on Facebook. To all of you that risk your safety to provide for the safety of others, and to all of you that have supported the MoV and its mission in support of your profession, thank you! In valor there is hope. Death Benefit Increased to $5,000 - Update Your Beneficiary! When was the last time you updated your WPPA Authorization Form? Have you married? Divorced? Do you wish to change your beneficiary? Update your information at wppa.com or e-mail Lori McDougall, lmcdougall@wppa.com. Wisconsin Police Journal - 8Executive Director's Report Continued: to the WPPA for its services. 2. Legal representation for most disciplinary matters. The WPPA frequently provides legal representation to members facing disciplinary charges before local bodies, such as police and fire commissions, or “PFCs.” Due to the fact that PFC proceedings are provided pursuant to statute and not by contract, the WPPA will no longer provide legal representation to non-dues paying officers that are brought before a PFC. 3. Death Benefit: Currently, the WPPA issues an immediate death benefit in the amount of $5,000 to the family of an officer that dies during their membership period. This benefit will cease for any officers that have not maintained their WPPA membership status and dues obligation. The following chart more fully identifies the services that will no longer be available to non-WPPA member officers that refuse to pay WPPA dues: WPPA Individual Legal Services & Benefits Full-Service Members (those paying dues) Free-Riders (non-WPPA member officers that refuse to pay dues) 24/7 Critical Incident RepresentationYesNo Disciplinary RepresentationYesNo Public Relations RepresentationYesNo Consultation & Advice on Worker’s Compensation Issues YesNo Consultation & Advice on Duty-Disability IssuesYesNo $5,000 Death BenefitYesNo Consultation & Advice on Pension-Related Issues & Retirement Benefit Disputes YesNo WPPA CalendarYesNo Ability to enroll in the WPPA Extended Legal Protection Plan (ELPP) YesNo While officers that do not pay dues will likely lose benefits and protections in addition to the services identified above, the service changes highlighted here are those most likely to impact officers the most. The WPPA has proudly represented Wisconsin’s law enforcement community since 1932, and our expertise in the matters that directly affect you and your families is unparalleled. While we anticipate that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision will detrimentally impact many general employee unions across the country, we are confident that our members appreciate the important role that the WPPA plays in fighting to protect you and your rights when you need us the most. While some officers may incorrectly believe that their employers are obligated to provide them with attorneys in situations such as officer- involved deaths, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The rights of individual officers in the immediate aftermath of a critical incident are very different than those of the departments they serve and the agencies investigating their actions. Officers need experienced advocates who know their jobs and the rules and laws governing their law enforcement actions. The WPPA prides itself on its ability to provide this representation, which has proven invaluable to many WPPA members, and the families that depend upon them. Established as a fraternal organization in 1932, the WPPA has evolved into a full-service institution with a demonstrated history of protecting its members in ways that no one else can. Despite the many challenges that have come in recent years, the WPPA has consistently expanded its services as we work to fulfill our mission to protect you and the calling into public service that you have courageously answered. On behalf of everyone at the WPPA, we have been honored to serve the dedicated men and women that keep Wisconsin safe, and we are excited to perpetuate that tradition of service to you in the years to come. Stay safe, stay informed, and stay in touch. Wisconsin Police Journal - 9 Check out the new wppa.comNext >