Sheriffs, police chiefs tell Evers, Barnes to silence their remarks about Kenosha

The Brillion News

In a sharply-worded letter dated August 26, presidents of four groups representing the state's sheriffs and police chiefs essentially told Governor Tony Evers and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes to shush.

"The purpose of this letter is to respectfully as that those of you in your administration discontinue and refrain from making statements and issuing press releases specific to the City of Kenosha Police-involved shooting until the facts of the investigation are known," the letter begins.

It continues:

"Previous remarks and statements made by each of you are premature, judgmental, inflammatory and only add to the anger and divisiveness of an already dangerous situation.

"A continued pattern of statements and press releases based on opinion and unsubstantiated claims puts people’s lives at risk. These are not peaceful protests. There have already been two deaths and many injuries.

"Continued remarks like those already made by each of you have also put the lives of Law Enforcement Officers, National Guardsman and the public at risk.

"Law Enforcement Leaders also respectfully ask that you call for an end to these riots and a stop to the violence."

The letter is signed by Sheriff Mark Podoll, President of the Badger State Sheriffs Association and sheriff of Green Lake County; Sauk County Chief Deputy Jeff Spencer, President of the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association; Jefferson Police Chief Kenneth Pileggi, president of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association; and Fond du Lac Police Chief William Lamb, president of the Wisconsin Police Executive Group.