Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #111, Directs State-Managed Law Enforcement to Review and Update Use of Force Policies

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order 111, directing state-managed law enforcement, including the Department of Natural Resources Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection, the Wisconsin State Capitol Police, and the Wisconsin State Patrol, to review and update their use of force policies.

“We’re getting to work here on the state level to make sure we’re leading by example and setting the bar in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “Wisconsinites across our state are demanding action and meaningful, systemic change—this is a critically important step, but it can't be the last. Our Badger Bounceback agenda includes several measures on policing accountability and transparency and I am hopeful these provisions will receive bipartisan support so we can continue the important work of keeping our promises of a more just, more fair, and more equitable state.”

The announcement comes as the Legislature’s powerful Joint Finance Committee is set to begin reviewing Gov. Evers’ 2021-23 biennial budget proposal in the coming weeks. In August 2020, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order 84, calling the Wisconsin State Legislature into a Special Session on issues of policing accountability and transparency. The Legislature gaveled out of the session without taking any action, prompting the governor to include the proposals in his 2021-23 biennial budget.

A copy of the Executive Order can be found here.