APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – As Minneapolis considers disbanding their police department, many activists are pushing for the defunding of police around the country.
This comes as people see tactical equipment and responses to major protests and riots across the country. But Appleton Police say taking money away could make the problem worse.
Police do more than just write tickets and make arrests in Appleton.
“I would hope people would look to us more as a model. We have mental health officers, and our behavioral health officers,” says Police Chief Todd Thomas, “I remember when we started our law enforcement addiction assistance program, we got pushback on that. ‘It isn’t law enforcement’s job is to be counselors and help them be counselors,’ but in our view, it is.”
Thomas says discussions of defunding the department might not have quite the impact that those who are pushing the move might think.
“People have to be cautious because there are a lot of activists out there that are trying to use this to create some change, and it may not be for the best for their communities,” Thomas tells the WTAQ Morning News with Matt and Earl, “The first thing that gets cut when you cut budgets is training, and that’s exactly what these agencies probably need that are struggling, is more training…When you start cutting budgets, you’re talking gas and lights and electricity and water and training. That’s why it’s challenging to have those types of discussions when you’re talking about defunding.”
Thomas says some things being suggested, such as de-funding police departments, are not particularly reasonable ideas – and asks people to take a closer look at what the agencies do for the community as a whole before demanding money be pulled from their operating budgets.
