GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A taskforce meant to address racial disparities met for the third time Thursday at Lambeau Field.
But some of its members are split on the best way to solve issues of racism and police reform
“We truly do have all voices represented.”
Speaker presentations and debate made for an all-day meeting.
“How do we take care of our law enforcement officers?” asked Mike Crum, Center for Suicide Awareness.
“We’re not talking about de-escalation training,” said Fred Royal, NAACP Milwaukee chapter president.
“This is just one piece of the presentation,” answered State Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna.
But what concerned some members most were the topics that went untouched.
“We’re not talking about preventing officers who have these biases embedded in them not being hired on the police force,” continued Royal.
“We’re talking about giving them treatment after they’ve been traumatized by the trauma they’ve inflicted on a society.”
“We’re going to have plenty of those discussions moving forward on how we narrow those racial disparities and that is the goal of the taskforce,” Steineke said responding to Royal’s concerns.
The back and forth comes as officer mental health dominated the first part of the taskforce meeting.
The taskforce is a subcommittee on law enforcement policies and standards.
The group came about shortly after Kenosha police officers shot Jacob Blake seven times in his back.
However, several cases of alleged police brutality contribute to the group’s goal: reducing racial disparities through new laws.
Co-chair of the taskforce, Democratic State Representative Sheila Stubbs, tells FOX 11
“I think today’s meeting is going to be one step closer to hearing from a major partner that we actually need to get reforms done with which is law enforcement.”
The taskforce meeting included Appleton Police Chief Todd Thomas.
He highlighted achievements in his own department.
When it comes to what lawmakers and taskforce members are hoping to do with that information…
“We’re looking at what needs to take place in Wisconsin, we’re looking at best practices,” said Stubbs.
Those best practices are meant to be reflected in the form of legislation.
