WAUSAU — Few things prompt greater scrutiny and criticism of local police departments than officer–involved shootings. The number of people fatally shot by law enforcement statewide rose in 2019, including some incidents in north central Wisconsin. But what constitutes reasonable force, and how are critical incidents investigated?
At 10 a.m. Friday, April 24, Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Route 51” host Shereen Siewert welcomes Wausau Police Chief Ben Bliven and Portage County District Attorney Louis Molepske for a discussion on officer-involved critical incidents, including fatal shootings. This week’s guests will talk about how officers are trained to deal with dangerous situations, how such incidents are investigated and how prosecutors determine whether police actions are appropriate. Listeners can email questions in advance and during the program to [email protected].
“Route 51” is heard Friday mornings at 10 a.m. on The Ideas Network stations 101.3 & 91.9/Wausau, AM 930/Auburndale-Stevens Point, 99.1/Stevens Point, 100.9/Marshfield, 90.3/Park Falls, 89.1/Adams-Wisconsin Rapids, and 89.9/Rhinelander-Eagle River. The program is re-broadcast Fridays at 7 p.m. on 90.9/Wausau. Program archives are available at wpr.org/route51.
