ACTIVIST PLAYBOOK

Wisconsin Action Guide

Fighting Encryption in the Badger State

Wisconsin's strong open government traditions create real leverage for scanner access advocacy. While Milwaukee has encrypted, Madison maintains substantial transparency, and rural Wisconsin remains largely accessible. This guide shows you how to protect scanner access across Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Encryption Landscape

Where Wisconsin stands and why there's still time to act

Fully Encrypted

Milwaukee PD, Milwaukee County SO

Wisconsin's largest city went fully encrypted. Milwaukee County Sheriff followed. The state's most populous region has gone dark.

Partial Encryption

Madison, Racine, Kenosha

Madison maintains substantial public access. Southeastern Wisconsin cities have mixed status. These are the battlegrounds to defend.

Largely Open

Green Bay, Rural Wisconsin

Green Bay and most of rural Wisconsin remain accessible. The Fox Valley and northern counties rely on open communications.

The Wisconsin Opportunity

Wisconsin's progressive open government tradition, strong local newspapers, and civic engagement culture create natural allies for transparency advocacy. Madison's continued openness proves encryption isn't inevitable for state capitals. The state's 72-county structure means local decisions matter. Prevent Milwaukee's encryption from spreading to your community.

Wisconsin Open Government Laws

Your legal tools for fighting encryption

Wisconsin Public Records Law

Wis. Stat. 19.31-39

Wisconsin has some of the nation's strongest public records laws with a presumption of openness. Use it to request encryption costs and decision documents.

  • Response deadline: "As soon as practicable" (courts enforce promptly)
  • Appeal to: Circuit Court or Attorney General informal assistance
  • Presumption of access: Strong - burden on government to justify denial
  • Attorney fees and damages: Available if you prevail
Get Wisconsin public records templates

Wisconsin Open Meetings Law

Wis. Stat. 19.81-98

Requires public notice and open deliberation for government decisions. Wisconsin's law is among the strongest in the nation.

  • 24-hour notice required for meetings
  • Public comment opportunities expected
  • Closed session exceptions are narrow
  • Violation remedy: Voided action, injunction, forfeitures

Key tactic: If your city or county encrypted without proper public notice, check whether the Open Meetings Law was followed. Equipment purchases over threshold require board approval.

Sample Wisconsin Public Records Request

To: [City/County] Records Custodian

Subject: Wisconsin Public Records Law Request - Police Radio Encryption

Pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. 19.31-39), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All documented incidents from January 1, 2019 to present where police scanner access resulted in officer injury, suspect escape, or operational compromise in [Jurisdiction].
  2. All budget documents, vendor quotes, contracts, and cost estimates related to police radio encryption systems.
  3. All internal communications (emails, memos, meeting minutes) regarding police radio encryption decisions.
  4. Any policies or procedures regarding media access to police communications.
  5. All interoperability assessments with surrounding jurisdictions, fire departments, and EMS.

Please provide records in electronic format to [email]. If any records will be withheld, please cite the specific statutory exception for each denial.

Wisconsin's public records law requires response "as soon as practicable without delay."

Key Wisconsin Contacts

Who to call, write, and visit

Wisconsin State Legislature

State law could establish transparency requirements statewide, like Colorado HB21-1250. Wisconsin's full-time legislature meets year-round.

Find Your State Representative

Wisconsin State Assembly (99 members)

Website: legis.wisconsin.gov

Phone: (608) 266-1501

Use "Find My Legislators" tool. Assembly members serve 2-year terms and are highly responsive to constituents.

Find Your State Senator

Wisconsin State Senate (33 members)

Website: legis.wisconsin.gov

Phone: (608) 266-2517

Senators serve 4-year terms. Schedule meetings at district offices during recess periods.

Key Committees to Contact

  • Assembly Judiciary Committee - Jurisdiction over law enforcement policy
  • Senate Judiciary and Public Safety - Police accountability and policy
  • Joint Finance Committee - Controls state funding that could incentivize transparency
  • Legislative Council - Can study encryption issues and draft legislation

Wisconsin Department of Justice

Wisconsin's Attorney General provides informal assistance on public records disputes and has issued guidance on open government.

KEY RESOURCE

Office of Open Government

DOJ provides informal guidance on public records and open meetings questions. While not binding, opinions carry weight.

Website: doj.state.wi.us/office-open-government

Email: opengov@doj.state.wi.us

Request guidance before filing suit. DOJ opinions can persuade reluctant agencies to comply.

Wisconsin Attorney General

Top law enforcement officer in the state. AG has authority to investigate government misconduct.

Website: doj.state.wi.us

AG can issue formal opinions on public records law interpretation.

Local Government

Wisconsin's 72 counties and hundreds of municipalities make independent decisions. County boards and city councils control police budgets.

County Board of Supervisors

County boards range from 15-35 members. They control sheriff budgets and county-wide policies.

Attend board meetings. Radio system purchases appear in "public safety" budget items.

City Common Council / Aldermen

City councils control municipal police. Madison has 20 aldermen; smaller cities have fewer.

Sign up for agenda notifications. Build relationships with your alderperson.

Milwaukee: Understanding the Encrypted Capital

What happened and what can be done

580K Milwaukee population
Encrypted MPD status
2020 Encryption year

What Happened in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Police Department encrypted communications following protests in summer 2020. The decision came without significant public input and eliminated media access that had existed for decades.

Factors in Milwaukee's Decision

  • 2020 protests: Civil unrest was cited as justification for immediate encryption
  • Rapid implementation: Decision made without normal public process
  • Limited pushback: Media organizations were caught off guard
  • County followed: Milwaukee County Sheriff encrypted after MPD

Advocacy Strategies for Milwaukee

  • Push for media access: Even if public access isn't restored, demand credentialed journalist access
  • Fire and Police Commission: Civilian oversight body has authority over police policy
  • Common Council: 15 aldermen control MPD budget
  • Document harm: Collect examples of how encryption has affected accountability

Key Argument

Milwaukee's 2020 rationale has expired. Emergency justifications for encryption during protests don't apply to routine operations. Push for policy review now that circumstances have changed.

Madison: A Model to Protect

Wisconsin's capital city maintains substantial public scanner access, proving that a major university city with significant protest activity can operate without full encryption.

Why Madison Works

  • Strong transparency culture: Capital city with engaged citizenry
  • University presence: UW-Madison creates stakeholder community for accountability
  • Media market: Wisconsin State Journal, Cap Times, and TV stations monitor police
  • Political balance: Pressure from both progressive and libertarian transparency advocates

Local Actions

What you can do in your Wisconsin community

Milwaukee

Encrypted

Population: 580,000 (metro area 1.5M)

Status: MPD and Milwaukee County SO fully encrypted since 2020.

What to Do

  • Push for reversal: Palo Alto proves encryption can be reversed
  • Fire and Police Commission: Civilian oversight body can review encryption policy
  • Common Council: 15 aldermen control police budget
  • Media coalition: Work with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and TV stations

Key Contacts

  • Milwaukee Common Council: milwaukee.gov/CommonCouncil
  • Fire and Police Commission: milwaukee.gov/fpc
  • Milwaukee County Board: county.milwaukee.gov

Madison

Partial

Population: 270,000 (metro area 680K)

Status: Main dispatch accessible. A model to protect.

What to Do

  • Defend current access: Monitor Common Council for encryption proposals
  • UW-Madison allies: Engage journalism school and student media
  • Dane County coordination: County and city have different agencies
  • State capital leverage: Legislators experience Madison policing firsthand

Key Contacts

  • Madison Common Council: cityofmadison.com/council
  • Dane County Board: countyofdane.com
  • Police Civilian Oversight Board: cityofmadison.com/civil-rights

Green Bay

Open

Population: 105,000 (metro area 320K)

Status: Largely open communications. A success to protect.

What to Do

  • Proactive engagement: Build relationships before encryption is proposed
  • Brown County: County and city coordination important
  • Packers connection: NFL team presence creates public safety visibility
  • Fox Valley region: Green Bay anchors a region of open jurisdictions

Key Contacts

  • Green Bay City Council: greenbaywi.gov/council
  • Brown County Board: co.brown.wi.us

Kenosha

Partial

Population: 100,000

Status: Mixed encryption following 2020 events. Critical accountability moment.

What to Do

  • Accountability framing: 2020 events demonstrated need for transparency, not secrecy
  • Prevent expansion: Hold the line on current partial status
  • Chicago media market: Some Kenosha coverage comes from Illinois media
  • Kenosha County: County-level advocacy alongside city efforts

Key Contacts

  • Kenosha Common Council: kenosha.org/council
  • Kenosha County Board: kenoshacounty.org

Wisconsin Public Records Tips

Presumption of Access

Wisconsin law presumes records are public. The burden is on government to prove an exemption applies.

"As Soon as Practicable"

Wisconsin requires response without delay. Courts have enforced this standard strictly.

DOJ Assistance

The Office of Open Government provides free informal guidance before you need to file suit.

Damages Available

If you prevail in court, you may recover actual damages, attorney fees, and punitive damages.

Wisconsin Media & Coalition Allies

Build your advocacy network

Media Organizations

Wisconsin Newspaper Association

Represents newspapers across Wisconsin. Strong history of open government advocacy.

Website: wnanews.com

Request WNA support for scanner access. They can coordinate editorial board outreach statewide.

Wisconsin Broadcasters Association

Represents radio and TV stations. Broadcasters depend on scanner access for breaking news.

Website: wi-broadcasters.org

Contact news directors at local stations. They lose breaking news capability when encryption happens.

Major Wisconsin Newsrooms

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin State Journal, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Appleton Post-Crescent.

Pitch encryption stories to investigative reporters. Wisconsin has strong local journalism tradition.

Civil Liberties & Advocacy

ACLU of Wisconsin

Active on police accountability issues. Engaged on Wisconsin policing reform efforts.

Website: aclu-wi.org

May provide legal guidance and coalition support.

Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council

Coalition focused on public records and open meetings compliance. Natural ally.

Website: wisfoic.org

Request coalition partnership on scanner access issues.

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty

Conservative legal organization that has supported government transparency.

Website: will-law.org

Potential cross-ideological ally on accountability issues.

Fire/EMS Allies

Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association

Fire chiefs have interoperability concerns when police encrypt without coordination.

Contact your local fire chief. Document any coordination issues from encryption.

Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin

Union can provide political support and credibility on public safety arguments.

Frame as public safety coordination issue. Fire/EMS voices carry weight.

Wisconsin-Specific Resources

Everything you need to fight encryption in Wisconsin

Request

Wisconsin Records Templates

Public records request templates

 Status

Wisconsin Encryption Status

Current encryption status by agency

 Speak

Testimony Scripts

Ready for council or board meetings

 Options

Hybrid Alternatives

Proposals officials can accept

 Plan

90-Day Campaign

Complete action timeline

 Unite

Build Coalitions

Partner with media and allies

Wisconsin Government Quick Links

  • Find Your Legislators: legis.wisconsin.gov (use "Find My Legislators")
  • Office of Open Government: doj.state.wi.us/office-open-government
  • League of Wisconsin Municipalities: lwm-info.org (city government resources)
  • Wisconsin Counties Association: wicounties.org
  • Freedom of Information Council: wisfoic.org

Take Action for Transparency

Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.

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Contact Your Representatives

Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.

Get Started
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Read Case Studies

See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.

View Cases
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Spread Awareness

Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.

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See the Evidence

Review the facts, myths, and research on police radio encryption.

View Evidence
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Public Testimony

Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.

Prepare to Speak
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Download Resources

Get FOIA templates, talking points, and materials for advocacy.

Access Toolkit