Union Claims Police Are Hiding The Extent of Privacy Violations in Wisconsin Communities

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin is sounding the alarm about police surveillance of citizens. According to the Wisconsin Examiner, in many cities, law enforcement officers use various technologies to monitor the public. The union claims that agencies may be overreaching in their authority to monitor and collect information.

The Examiner reports that nearly 10 years ago, investigations by the ACLU of Wisconsin and private advocacy groups found that the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) hid its use of cell phone tracking technology from judges. More recently, law enforcement officials gathered and traded intelligence about individuals involved in the George Floyd-inspired police reform protests.

How Surveillance Violates Privacy

Many Wisconsin citizens may be unaware of the many methods police can use to surveil the public. Technology exists that allows law enforcement agencies to monitor cities for loud noises, scan faces and license plates using automatic recognition software, and even capture live content like cell phone calls and text messages.

The ACLU asserts that this is an overstep. Citizens have the right to know and understand what information police can access and who they may share it with. In addition, without oversight, there is room for the misuse or abuse of surveillance systems by agencies and individual officers.

What Wisconsin Citizens Can Do About Police Surveillance

The ACLU of Wisconsin urges communities to pass Community Control Over Police Surveillance (CCOPS) ordinances to protect citizens’ privacy. CCOPS ordinances require that police propose any existing or new surveillance technology to citizens during a public hearing and receive approval from the local city council before implementation.

Ordinances also mandate that police produce annual reports on surveillance gear, including information about costs, intended purposes, and data collection and sharing.



Individuals arrested or charged with a crime based on evidence collected via surveillance may benefit from speaking with a criminal defense attorney serving Wisconsin. A lawyer can inform you about your rights and work to challenge evidence obtained through means that may have violated your privacy.

Contact Cohen Law Offices About Your Rights

Attorney Micheal R. Cohen and the Cohen Law Offices can help if you were arrested and charged with a crime. We defend individuals who’ve been charged with drunk driving, sexual assault, domestic abuse, violent crimes, robbery, theft, white-collar crimes, and more. Let us put our nearly 50 years of combined legal experience to work on your case. Our team is here for YOU and focused on YOU.

When results matter, call us first. Contact our experienced Eau Claire criminal defense lawyers at (715)-643-8778 or complete our online form to discuss the specifics of your case today.