When someone falls victim to police brutality or misconduct, or a person’s civil rights have been violated in Milwaukee, they deserve justice for the harm done by law enforcement officers. Achieving justice is hard, especially when victims of police or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) misconduct don’t know where to turn. The Milwaukee police brutality lawyers in our personal injury law firm are committed to helping victims of police misconduct, police shootings, or civil rights violations fight for the justice and compensation they deserve.
In this Article
What Is Milwaukee Police or ICE Misconduct?
Misconduct by law enforcement occurs when officers from agencies like the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) or federal agents from ICE violate your constitutional or civil rights. These rights protect you from unfair government actions. For instance, the Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, the First Amendment protects your right to record police in public, and the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law. When an officer oversteps these boundaries through excessive force, a false arrest, or discrimination, it is considered misconduct. A Milwaukee civil rights lawyer or police misconduct attorney can help determine if your rights were violated.
How to Get Help If You Are Injured by a Milwaukee Police Officer
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries due to the brutality or misconduct of law enforcement officials in Milwaukee, taking the right steps immediately after the incident is crucial.
First, seek medical care for any injuries and be sure to document them. Next, preserve all evidence, including photos, videos, and the contact information of any witnesses. Avoid posting about the incident on social media, as your posts could be used against you. Most importantly, contact a police brutality attorney in Milwaukee as soon as possible to understand your legal options.
How Common Is Police Misconduct in Milwaukee?
Accountability organizations track metrics on police interactions across the country. The Police Scorecard for Wisconsin reports:
From 2013–2023, there were 177 killings by police; a Black person was 5.7 times as likely to be killed, and a Latinx person was 1.5 times as likely to be killed, compared to a white person.
From 2016–2022, there were 1,742 civilian complaints of police misconduct; 14% were ruled in favor of civilians.
How to File a Complaint
Victims have the right to seek accountability through official channels and oversight bodies. Filing a formal complaint is a critical first step.
Milwaukee Police Department Actions
A complaint alleges an MPD member broke the Code of Conduct, a state or federal law, or a Milwaukee ordinance. It could also challenge an MPD policy or procedure. You may file your complaint:
Milwaukee Police Department
Internal Affairs Division
6680 North Teutonia Avenue, Room 325
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209
Federal Agent Misconduct Actions
For misconduct by federal agents, such as those with ICE, the process is different. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) is an independent watchdog that investigates abuse and misconduct within DHS agencies. You can file a complaint directly through the DHS OIG complaint portal.
ACLU of Wisconsin
If a person’s constitutional rights were violated by police or ICE in Wisconsin, you can file a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin (ACLU-WI) at their legal help page. For one-on-one legal advice or representation, it’s important to contact a Milwaukee or Wisconsin law firm for help with civil rights or police misconduct cases.
Common Types of Misconduct Cases
A Milwaukee police misconduct lawyer or civil rights attorney can handle claims involving most police officers and ICE agents. Some of the most common types of misconduct cases we see include:
Use of excessive or deadly force: an officer uses more force than is reasonably necessary to handle a situation.
False arrest: you are detained without legal cause or probable cause.
Illegal search or seizure: an officer searches you or your property without a warrant or another valid legal basis.
Malicious prosecution: you are charged with a crime without cause, and the charges are later dismissed in your favor.
Police shootings: an officer wrongfully discharges a firearm, causing injury or death.
Failure to intervene: an officer witnesses another officer’s misconduct and does not step in to stop it.
Recording retaliation: you are punished or arrested for lawfully filming police activity.
Racial profiling: an officer stops, questions, or searches you based on your race or ethnicity.
Denial of medical care: you are in police custody and are denied necessary medical attention.
Sexual harassment: unwelcome sexual conduct by an officer that abuses authority or creates a hostile environment.
ICE misconduct: this can involve warrantless raids, unlawful detainers, or excessive force by federal agents. A skilled ICE misconduct lawyer can help navigate these complex cases.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Wisconsin?
The time you have to file a lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations, is limited and complex. In Wisconsin, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years. However, when suing a government entity, you must first file a “notice of claim” with the municipality, often within 120 days of the incident. For federal civil rights claims (known as Section 1983 lawsuits), the deadline typically mirrors the state’s personal injury statute of limitations. These deadlines vary significantly, and missing one could prevent you from ever getting justice. It is essential to consult a police misconduct lawyer with experience dealing with both state and federal courts.
If you have suffered physical injuries—like fractures or traumatic brain injuries—at the hands of law enforcement, you do not have to face this alone. Contact a Milwaukee police brutality lawyer for legal representation; we offer a free consultation to discuss your potential police brutality case and discuss how we can help you fight for the justice you deserve.
Our Milwaukee police brutality lawyers are committed to helping victims of police misconduct.
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$3.2 Million
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$3 Million
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$2.2 Million
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$2 Million
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$1.5 Million
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$1.4 Million
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Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
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$550,000
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$550,000
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$500,000
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$460,000
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$450,000
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$425,000
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$425,000
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$415,000
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$400,000
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$370,000
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$315,000
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$310,000
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$300,000
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$250,000
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$250,000
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$250,000
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$250,000
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$250,000
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$240,000
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$235,000
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$235,000
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$219,000
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$200,000
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$190,000
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$175,000
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$170,000
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$150,000
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