I also agree that there should be a code of conduct with concrete steps taken when ethics have been compromised. The FPC works closely with MPD and MFD so it’s fairly easy for that relationship to be exploited by all sides. Would you agree to establishing a code of conduct?
How do you think the performance of the police and fire departments should be measured? How are you going to publicize these performance measures to the community?
Describe your philosophy regarding the proper roles of the police and fire departments in our community, and how you intend to use that philosophy to inform your work with the FPC.
Modern policing philosophy has focused primarily on crime prevention. Do you agree that police should focus primarily on crime prevention?
As an oversight body, it is implied that the members of the body observe the subjects of the oversight. How do you intend to perform observations? Will you yourself physically observe fire and police department activities?
The board of commissioners is tasked with establishing the rules for hiring and assessment. Will you become familiar with the currently utilized assessments to a degree that you can confidently state that the assessments align with the wishes of the board?
Part of The MPD mission statement pledges to reduce “disorder”. Are you comfortable with police being tasked with reducing disorder, and if so, where do you wish to see the limits to the use of police in that role?
According to a June 2020 FPC investigation, then FPC Chair Steven DeVougas violated two provisions of the City’s Code of Ethics while representing a suspect in a sexual assault investigation. The investigation found that Mr. DeVougas was “consistently untruthful” regarding the matter, and refused to be interviewed by investigators, despite the fact that all MPD officers supervised by the FPC are legally required to cooperate with any investigation the FPC orders. Mr. DeVougas continues to serve on the FPC. The City Attorney’s Office stated that FPC rules do not address (a) commissioner conflicts of interest, or (b) standards of conduct for commissioners, so it was not able to issue judgement on his actions.
For Commissioners, entrusted with the critical duty to watch the watchmen, we must ensure that their commitment to truth is unequivocal, and their ethics beyond reproach - or the trust that is necessary between the FPC, MPD, and the community will be continually undermined.
Therefore, will you commit to (1) supporting the creation of Code of Conduct for Commissioners, and (2) holding fellow Commissioners accountable to following it, and the City’s Code of Ethics?
According to Wisconsin State Statute 62.50 (1m) Policy review. The board shall conduct at least once each year a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments of the city. The board may prescribe general policies and standards for the departments. The board may inspect any property of the departments, including but not limited to books and records, required for a review under this section.
The FPC Board has never conducted a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments, much less done it annually. Are you committed to leading the FPC to fulfill it’s statutorily mandated obligation to review the policies actually being implemented by the MPD and MFD regardless of whether or not they are codified in a Standard Operating Procedure or Standard Operating Guideline?
I also agree that there should be a code of conduct with concrete steps taken when ethics have been compromised. The FPC works closely with MPD and MFD so it’s fairly easy for that relationship to be exploited by all sides. Would you agree to establishing a code of conduct?
How do you think the performance of the police and fire departments should be measured? How are you going to publicize these performance measures to the community?
Describe your philosophy regarding the proper roles of the police and fire departments in our community, and how you intend to use that philosophy to inform your work with the FPC.
Modern policing philosophy has focused primarily on crime prevention. Do you agree that police should focus primarily on crime prevention?
As an oversight body, it is implied that the members of the body observe the subjects of the oversight. How do you intend to perform observations? Will you yourself physically observe fire and police department activities?
The board of commissioners is tasked with establishing the rules for hiring and assessment. Will you become familiar with the currently utilized assessments to a degree that you can confidently state that the assessments align with the wishes of the board?
Part of The MPD mission statement pledges to reduce “disorder”. Are you comfortable with police being tasked with reducing disorder, and if so, where do you wish to see the limits to the use of police in that role?
According to a June 2020 FPC investigation, then FPC Chair Steven DeVougas violated two provisions of the City’s Code of Ethics while representing a suspect in a sexual assault investigation. The investigation found that Mr. DeVougas was “consistently untruthful” regarding the matter, and refused to be interviewed by investigators, despite the fact that all MPD officers supervised by the FPC are legally required to cooperate with any investigation the FPC orders. Mr. DeVougas continues to serve on the FPC. The City Attorney’s Office stated that FPC rules do not address (a) commissioner conflicts of interest, or (b) standards of conduct for commissioners, so it was not able to issue judgement on his actions.
For Commissioners, entrusted with the critical duty to watch the watchmen, we must ensure that their commitment to truth is unequivocal, and their ethics beyond reproach - or the trust that is necessary between the FPC, MPD, and the community will be continually undermined.
Therefore, will you commit to (1) supporting the creation of Code of Conduct for Commissioners, and (2) holding fellow Commissioners accountable to following it, and the City’s Code of Ethics?
According to Wisconsin State Statute 62.50 (1m) Policy review. The board shall conduct at least once each year a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments of the city. The board may prescribe general policies and standards for the departments. The board may inspect any property of the departments, including but not limited to books and records, required for a review under this section.
The FPC Board has never conducted a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments, much less done it annually. Are you committed to leading the FPC to fulfill it’s statutorily mandated obligation to review the policies actually being implemented by the MPD and MFD regardless of whether or not they are codified in a Standard Operating Procedure or Standard Operating Guideline?