KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) – Republican legislators and local law enforcement are introducing new legislation aimed at recruiting, supporting and retaining law enforcement officers in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin currently has the lowest number of law enforcement officers statewide in over a decade.
“The biggest thing that we’re seeing in Wisconsin and nationally is a lack of interest in getting into law enforcement to begin with,” said Representative Jim Steineke of Kaukauna. “We’re seeing a record number of retirements and resignations, and it’s leading to a dangerous situation…Violent crime is up 9% here in the state. We have to act, and we have to act quickly to do everything that we can to help recruit, retain, and train law enforcement officers to make sure our communities are protected.”
The proposal would utilize $25 million in federal funds to bring in new officers, and to retain those already in the force. It would also create new and part time training opportunities to attract non-traditional hires – as well as bonuses for new and existed law enforcement officers.
It would even pay officers for law enforcement experience, and to move to Wisconsin.
“It would also fund and execute a nationwide officer recruitment effort, targeting communities that attempted to defund police – as well as some other provisions that would fund officer training and certifications,” Steineke said. “If you don’t feel like you’re appreciated somewhere else, we’ll make sure that you’re appreciated here in Wisconsin by paying you extra to come here.”
Steineke says that he feels a majority of people in Northeast Wisconsin support their law enforcement officers, but that simply isn’t the case in some areas throughout the country.
“[It’s important that people] feel valued in the job that they do. Especially people who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” Steineke said. “We [need to] do everything that we can to show that we honor their service and we are going to do everything that we can to bring people into the profession and make sure they feel valued.”
Steineke hopes to get the bill pushed through the state legislature over the next few weeks. He also asked the public for help in calling on Governor Tony Evers to join in supporting the bill and law enforcement by signing off to utilize the funds for the effort.
