Wisconsin Department of Justice
The Wisconsin Department of Justice is a state law enforcement agency with jurisdiction throughout the state of Wisconsin. Its headquarters are in Madison, the state capital, with main offices in the Risser Justice Center in downtown Madison. The Wisconsin Attorney General oversees the agency. The current attorney general is Brad Schimel who was elected to his first 4 year term in November, 2014, and assumed the office on January 1, 2015.[1] The WDoJ manages the state's three crime labs, and investigates major crimes involving, among other things, illegal drugs, fugitives, public corruption, official misconduct, organized crime, domestic terrorism, Medicaid fraud and patient abuse.
Responsibilities
The agency provides legal advice and representation, criminal investigation, and other law enforcement services for the state. It represents the state in civil cases and handles criminal cases that reach the Wisconsin Court of Appeals or the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It also represents the state in criminal cases on appeal in federal courts and participates with other states in federal cases that are important to Wisconsin. The department provides legal representation in lower courts when expressly authorized by law or requested by the governor, either house of the legislature, or a state agency head. It also represents state agencies in court reviews of their administrative decisions. The department consists of four divisions and one office: the Division of Criminal Investigation, Division of Law Enforcement Services, Division of Legal Services, Division of Management Services and the Office of Crime Victim Services.
State crime labs
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains three state crimes labs, located in Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Wisconsin Department of Justice, one officer from the Division of Criminal Investigation has died in the line of duty.[2]
| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Special Agent Jay P. Balchunas | |
Gunfire |
Anti-terrorism
In early 2009 the Wisconsin DoJ completed its second Terrorism Liaison Officer's (TLO) training at Volk Field. TLOs are local law enforcement officers, fire fighters, EMS personnel, National Guard personnel, and county emergency managers. The 101 new and existing 61 TLO's have been trained on the most recent terrorism and crime issues, trend analysis, and the proper procedures for receiving and disseminating information to field personnel. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen stated:
"Preparing our public service and law enforcement partners in how to prevent, prepare and respond to criminal and terrorist threats is an important part of our mission at the Department of Justice," [...] "Silos of information aren't acceptable in the public safety world and the TLO program is a great program to enhance information sharing and cooperation."
See also
References
- ↑ "Office of the Attorney General". Department of Justice; Wisconsin. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
- ↑ "Special Agent Jay P. Balchunas". The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
- ↑ Cosh, William A. (February 5, 2009). "Wisconsin Department of Justice Conducts Terrorism Liaison Officer's Training". Harvard Kennedy School, Ash Institute. HT Media Ltd. Retrieved 2009-04-03.