The News: On February 27, 2025, Judge David Borowski held the City of Milwaukee in contempt of court for failure to comply with a Writ of Mandamus which commanded the City to take all steps necessary to comply with state law and ensure the legally required number of School Resource Officer (SROs) were available to Milwaukee Public Schools. This represents yet another significant legal victory for students and parents demanding true accountability in local government.

The Quotes: WILL Associate Counsel, Lauren Greuel, stated, “We will be back in court as often as necessary until the law is followed. We appreciate the Judge’s order, including the fines necessary to compel compliance. We look forward to MPS and the City of Milwaukee taking immediate action.”

Milwaukee parent and WILL client, Charlene Abughrin, expressed, “All we have seen from MPS, and the City, is delay, delay, and delay. Their excuses and lack of action have continually frustrated parents and students in our community—frankly enough is enough.”

More on the Judge’s Decision: As of February 27, 2025, the City of Milwaukee will be fined $1,000 a day for each day they are not in compliance with the law. The Judge stayed that fine until March 17. On or before March 17, the City must provide proof that the Common Council has taken all steps necessary to ensure compliance with the law; provide the Court a list of the names of the officers serving as SROs and the school(s) they are stationed at; and provide the Court proof that these officers have either completed the National Association of School Resource Officer Training or are registered and will be completing it imminently. If the City fails to do so, then the fines will go into effect.

Additional background: 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 the compromise to enact 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 required the SROs be in place no later than January 1, 2024.

Read more:

• Judge’s Order, 3.4.25