Cops set politics aside at protests
Wisconsin budget protests
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Janesville Police officer Doug Johnson gets a pat on the shoulder from Mike Earll, a technical college instructor from Onalaska, after he and his family exited an elevator on the third floor of the Capitol on Wednesday. Johnson, Gary Meyers, left, and Todd Schumann, not pictured, were guarding Assembly offices. 'Thanks for being here buddy,' Earll said.
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Rock County Sheriff's Department deputy Curt Streuly helps a camera man under a tape restricting access to a bridge between a hearing room and the assembly at the state capitol. Streuly and Rock County Sheriff's Department captain Jude Maurer, right, were guarding the area on Wednesday.
JANESVILLE — The state will reimburse law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin that have sent hundreds of their staff to Madison to control demonstrators and relieve exhausted police, Walworth County Sheriff David Graves said Wednesday.
Graves in a telephone interview from a command post near the Capitol said the state Department of Administration issued memos to sheriff and police administrators that pledged to reimburse law enforcement agencies for the pay, lodging and mileage it cost them to dispatch staff to Madison.
Graves said he had considered not sending any more deputies to Madison because of mounting costs. With the state's commitment to cover the expenses, Graves said he would continue sending staff but likely would limit it to three deputies a day.
The reimbursements will be retroactive to Feb. 18, when the call for help came for Madison.
News of the reimbursement was cheered by Janesville Police Chief Dave Moore.
"It's certainly good news to our department," Moore said. "The burden is shared now throughout the state of Wisconsin and not just the agencies who felt they should help out."
Local officers, many of them union workers, who worked the front lines in Madison said they had put their political beliefs aside to ensure safety at the Capitol.
"That's what makes this a profession," Rock County Sheriff's Capt. Jude Maurer said. "There are a lot of things that happen while you are working that can affect your personal feelings, but you have to maintain your professionalism."
Rock County, Walworth County and Janesville officers have helped patrol the Capitol. Beloit, Evansville, Edgerton and other agencies also have sent people.
Not every agency has figures available, but Moore said it cost his department $7,000 to $9,400 a day to send 10 officers and one supervisor. They worked double shifts three days in a row.
Rock County Sheriff Bob Spoden sent more than twice as many, offering 25 deputies for three days and 10 for two days. He said he wouldn't know the cost until payroll was finished, but he knows his overtime budget is depleting.
"We're not happy about it," Spoden said. "All of our budgets are tight."
Graves said he had sent three to 10 deputies a day to work 12-hour shifts. He said it drained his staff and finances.
Provisions in the budget repair bill that would strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights doesn't impact law enforcement and firefighting unions, putting officers in an unusual position while they patrol protesters who wouldn't be spared.
Maurer said deputies are uncertain about possible future cuts to their pay and benefits. He said command staff isn't protected under the union.
Everyone has political leanings, but they must be put aside while on duty, Maurer said.
"They have a job to do. They were asked to do it, and they did it well," he said.
Maurer, speaking for himself, said he is willing to lose pay or benefits to balance the budget.
"Honestly, giving up a benefit or pay is ultimately better than giving up a job," he said.
Janesville Police Sgt. Charles Aagaard said he didn't want to give his personal opinion on the budget repair bill. He said he saw people he knew marching, but he didn't let it impact his work.
"We've got a job to do," Aagaard said. "When we are up there, we are neutral."
Officers at the Capitol have been monitoring entrances and watching crowds, officials said. Others have helped at the command posts.
In Rock County and Janesville, local patrol has not been reduced; although people have lost days off because of the extra duty, officials said.
Local agencies sent help after Capitol police requested mutual aid. Departments often help one another for major events.
Rock County agencies will continue sending officers to the Capitol this week, although in smaller numbers, officials said. Crowds are diminishing and protesters have been peaceful.
A spokeswoman from the Department of Administration said the number of outside
law enforcement at the Capitol could not be discussed
because of "specific security protocols." But she disclosed that "there are hundreds of law enforcement officials here at the Capitol from around the state."
Feb 25, 2011 at 11:06 a.m.
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was a few arrests, 10 or less ???, but very few for the many 10,000 of thousands of peaceful, respectful, clean protestors...
Feb 25, 2011 at 1:45 a.m.
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Roadmaster: Amazing all that law enforcement manpower and not a single arrest.
Ever think that the relatively low number of arrests is BECAUSE there is security present to deter poor behavior? Duh.
Feb 25, 2011 at 12:39 a.m.
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Hats off to the professionals that performed the jobs they were hired to do...looks like many in government could learn from them.
Feb 24, 2011 at 9:32 p.m.
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All the extra cost is the fault of the Republicans for refusing to take the unions money.
Feb 24, 2011 at 9:23 p.m.
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Thank you to the departments sending police units without know if they would be reimbursed for their time and costs.
It is important to let the people protest and express their distress and anger at losing the collective bargaining. It seemed civil for the most part except for a few slurs.
That is such a good example of the freedoms we have in this great country.
Feb 24, 2011 at 8:40 p.m.
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http://www.thinkenergygroup.com/think.ns...
Feb 24, 2011 at 8:38 p.m.
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how does Soros profit from walker selling our state to the koch bros ? (pile of fed moeny will have to be returned before wisconsin sees dime one ).. how is it when teachers get together is bad, but when rich get together its good. HOW can individuals get their voices heard over the money of billionares if they can not work together >???? if public worker unions are bad, why are police and fire dept exempt ? AND if its really about the budget, the unions have given in to all the money demands. read the bill,, its 95% power grab for executive branch
Feb 24, 2011 at 8:26 p.m.
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moveon.org, Acorn, the list goes on
Feb 24, 2011 at 8:25 p.m.
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werpknarly, google the name George Soros and see what comes up! the Dems are just as loaded with rich pukes to prop up their libtard candidates.
Feb 24, 2011 at 8:10 p.m.
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low taxes for the rich is a method of funding conservative right wing radical politions... 7 of top 10 contributers to last election were right wing groups funded by rich conservatives ie Koch Brothers
Feb 24, 2011 at 8:08 p.m.
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many 10's of thousands of protesters over 8, 9 days now.. and less than 10 arested.. most schools should have such low arrest rates !!
Feb 24, 2011 at 8:06 p.m.
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never seen so many cops with so little to do.. but they have all been very friendly. a few even said welcome and thank you for coming as we entered the captial !
Feb 24, 2011 at 7:46 p.m.
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Sometimes the news doesn't make the headlines.
http://www.breitbart.tv/union-protester-...
Feb 24, 2011 at 7:40 p.m.
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Hey Roadmaster, there were 9 arrests in the first 3 days...http://www.channel3000.com/news/26902948/detail.html
Pay attention
Feb 24, 2011 at 7 p.m.
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Badgerlvr
If that is true, then I am flattered. I would not have heard them say it, my tv does not have CC.
Feb 24, 2011 at 6:36 p.m.
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send the bill to the union organizers!!!!
Feb 24, 2011 at 6 p.m.
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wislady: The exact same answer given by Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh.
Feb 24, 2011 at 5:53 p.m.
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All the extra cost is the fault of the Democrats who were too cowardly to stay and vote.
Feb 24, 2011 at 5:19 p.m.
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Nice way to waste even more money, Mr. (or is it "Colonel"? Walker, and strap local resources as well in pursuit of your ill-planned, egomaniacal grab for the spotlight and power. Hey, Sarah Palin you're not, but I guess that's what one acts like when one aspires so hard to be a real Koch (brother)!
My advice--open the gates and let the masses at him. Maybe then he'll learn how to talk and bargain. It's easy to talk big when the taxpayers are left footing the bill for literally hundreds and hundreds of extra officers--on OT--every day, flooding the grounds and buildings with excess security due to your poor planning and miscalculations! And if the local agencies don't pay for it, who will? US, either way.
Hey big guy--call out the National Guard! I'm sure the BBC would be able to fit in some pictures of that along with your twin brother in Colonel Gaddafi and Libya's. Maybe you could even have the Guard learn to teach school!
Feb 24, 2011 at 5:09 p.m.
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How is Walker going to pay them no money so they tell us.
For the money they got I am sure they were happy to do the duty.
Where were his state trooper's?
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:56 p.m.
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"I would like to hear more of an explanation from Governor Walker as to what exactly was being considered, and to what degree it was discussed by his cabinet members. I find it very unsettling and troubling that anyone would consider creating safety risks for our citizens and law enforcement officers. Our department works hard dialoging with those who are exercising their First Amendment right, those from both sides of the issue, to make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure they can demonstrate safely. I am concerned that anyone would try to undermine these relationships. I have a responsibility to the community, and to the men and women of this department - who are working long hours protecting and serving this community – to find out more about what was being considered by state leaders." - Madison, WI Chief of Police
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:56 p.m.
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no doubt, PanamaRed...so where is this $$ Walker is promising them going to come from???
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:54 p.m.
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glock21sf, Walker made no such promise of stripping unions of bargaining rights during his campaign.
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:53 p.m.
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Amazing all that law enforcement manpower and not a single arrest.
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:46 p.m.
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ya, he's a jerk for doing what he said he was gonna do! How dare politicians keep a campaign promise! Who does he think he is?? We ARE broke! and all the protesters did was make it worse. Why don't you all go move to California and join a commune! We need to get this state out of this giant fiscal hole and he needs to start somewhere.
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.
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Sure, walker just wants to make sure his butt his protected from the bad guys. So he's willing to pay law enforcement their overtime wages. JERK
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:23 p.m.
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PanamaRed - Not everyone agrees with unions or your view.
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:22 p.m.
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shagcarpet - It's coming from the taxpayers. Each day there is protest, it's costing a ton. Both sides are too blame for that.
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:21 p.m.
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As Chief Moore stated, "The burden is shared now throughout the state of Wisconsin and not just the agencies who felt they should help out."
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Too bad that same view is not shared Walker and the Republicans.
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:18 p.m.
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I support the protest and thank the police for doing a great job. I am just pointing out that Walker said there is no room for negotiation, because we have no money. Where is this money coming from?
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:13 p.m.
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shagcarpet - if you support the protesting, then you should understand that police are needed to control the situation. The protesting is what is costing money. You can't really support a protest and than disagree with what it costs to carry it through.
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:06 p.m.
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Thank you all for doing a great job in difficult circumstances.
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:06 p.m.
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I thought we were broke!?!
Feb 24, 2011 at 4:02 p.m.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/.........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBnSv3a6N.........
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