The News: A Milwaukee judge has granted a writ of mandamus from the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) and ordered School Resource Officers (SROs) in Milwaukee schools by February 27th. Per the judge, MPS is to pay 50% of the cost of the SROs, splitting costs with the city of Milwaukee. WILL filed a lawsuit late last year on behalf of a Milwaukee mom.  

The Quotes: WILL Associate Counsel, Lauren Greuel, stated, “It should have never come to this, and we are pleased to see the judge act so definitively to move us closer to a resolution. Now is the time for MPS to end the excuses and delays and follow the law by taking basic steps to protect kids going to school.” 

Additional Background: Earlier this year, WILL won a significant legal victory against the Milwaukee Public School District (MPS) as a judge denied MPS’ motion to dismiss and granted WILL’s application for an alternative writ, ordering MPS to comply with Wisconsin law and provide the legally required number of School Resource Officers (SROs) in all public schools no later than February 17th, or to show up in Court on that date and give cause as to why they did not comply. 

At the hearing on the 17th, the Court determined the alternative writ of mandamus had not been complied with, and that the parties did not give good cause for their noncompliance. 

Adopted in 2023, Wisconsin Act 12’s primary focus gave the option of a sales tax increase for both the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, but it also did more. As part of Act 12, state law was amended to require that MPS “shall ensure that no fewer than 25 school resource officers are present at schools within the district during normal school hours,” and that the school resource officers are available during certain additional time periods and events. The law requires the SROs be in place no later than January 1, 2024.