Officer Involved Critical Incidents
Wisconsin Statute § 175.47 requires that, in the event of the death of an individual that results directly from an action or an omission of a law enforcement officer, the ensuing investigation must be conducted by an investigative team from an independent law enforcement agency.
If requested, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) may serve as that independent agency. In those instances, DOJ/DCI will provide a complete report to the prosecutor for review. If the prosecutor determines there is no basis for prosecution of the law enforcement officer(s) involved, access to the report as required by Wis. Stat. § 175.47(5)(b) will be provided below.
Records for certain other investigations conducted by DOJ/DCI, with redactions pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39), may also be posted here.
For more information, please email us at dojcommunications@doj.state.wi.us.
2021
2020
The Department of Justice’s usual practice is to post the investigative file of officer-involved deaths on DOJ’s website. In this instance, DOJ is posting a synopsis report of this incident pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 175.47(5)(b). As there is an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and a potential criminal prosecution associated with this incident, all other records associated with DCI’s investigative file will not be posted at this time.
The Department of Justice’s usual practice is to post the investigative file of officer-involved deaths on DOJ’s website. DOJ is posting a synopsis report of this incident pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 175.47(5)(b). All other records associated with the investigative file will not be posted at this time, because there is an ongoing criminal prosecution associated with this incident.
Green Bay - Elder Melgar Report
2019
The Department of Justice’s usual practice is to post the investigative file of officer involved deaths on DOJ’s website. The subjects of this incident were juveniles, and the law requires that DOJ treat this matter differently. Wisconsin Stat. § 938.396(1) requires that law enforcement records of juveniles may not be open to inspection or their contents disclosed, with some exceptions.
DOJ is posting a synopsis report of this incident pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 175.47(5)(b). All other records associated with the investigative file will not be posted. Such records may be requested by contacting the DOJ Communications Office at dojcommunications@doj.state.wi.us. Such requests will be processed pursuant to the public records law and the provisions of Wis. Stat. § 938.396.
Township of Centerville Juvenile Decedent Report
2018
2017
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release - DCI Case Reports - Cover Letter
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release - DCI Case Reports
John Hall Investigative Synopsis Report
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release - DCI Case Reports Supplement - Cover Letter
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release - DCI Case Reports Supplement
2016
AAG Decision Regarding Lincoln Co OID – Scot Minard
Scot Minard Investigative Synopsis Report
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release – DCI Case Reports – Cover Letter
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release – DCI Case Reports
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release – DCI Case Reports – Supplemental Post
Marinette OID Investigative Synopsis
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release – DCI Case Reports – Cover letter
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release – DCI Case Reports
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release- DCI Case Reports Supplement-Cover Letter
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release-DCI Case Reports-Supplement
2015
The Department of Justice’s usual practice is to post the investigative file of officer involved deaths on DOJ’s website. The subjects of this incident were juveniles, and the law requires that DOJ treat this matter differently. Wis. Stat. § 938.396(1) requires that law enforcement records of juveniles may not be open to inspection or their contents disclosed. The law provides some exceptions including disclosure of information to representatives of the news media and the parent, guardian or legal custodian of a juvenile.
DOJ is posting the report of this incident that is required by Wis. Stat. § 175.47(5)(b). However, all other records associated with the investigative file will not be posted. Such records are available upon request by contacting The DOJ Communications Director at dojcommunications@doj.state.wi.us .Such requests will be granted in accordance with the provisions of Wis. Stat. § 938.396.
Jefferson County Juvenile Deaths Report
Trooper Trevor Casper/Steven Snyder Report
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release - DCI Case Reports - Cover Letter
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release - DCI Case Reports
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release - DCI Case Reports Supplement
DCI Investigative File Public Records Release - DCI Case Report - Supplement Letter