New Wauwatosa Ordinance Would Ban Police Chokeholds

WAUWATOSA, WI — Wauwatosa officials are considering a partial ban on chokeholds, and proposed a new ordinance that will involve Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber's input. According to language in the proposed ordinance, chokeholds would be acceptable under certain conditions.

The Wauwatosa Government Affairs Committee is meeting Tuesday night to review the proposed ordinance. The meeting will be held virtually, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Under the proposed ordinance, Weber would establish policies for his department regarding use of force. According to the proposal, the new policy would require that officers "use only the minimum amount of reasonable use force necessary to gain control of any particular situation, and that such officers shall not use chokeholds, strangleholds, lateral vascular neck restraints, carotid restraints, chest compressions, or similar techniques which restrict oxygen or blood flow to the head or neck, unless the officer has reasonable belief that such technique is necessary because the subject poses an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm to the officer or others."

Under city rules, the Common Council could be passed at the Aug. 4 Common Council meeting, but only if city officials vote to suspend the rules to consider the ordinance, which would be brought to them in the form of a resolution. If not, the earliest the ordinance could be passed would be September.

To access Tuesday night's meeting via telephone, attendees are directed to call (312) 626-6799 and enter Meeting ID 829-2318-8685 to follow along by audio. To access the meeting via Zoom, please visit www.zoom.us/join. Enter Meeting ID 829 2318 8685.