New bureau handling officer-involved deaths in Wisconsin

DOJ reports 19 cases since
2014 have been requested

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s Department of Justice is creating a new bureau to handle officer-involved deaths and other sensitive investigations. 

Attorney General Brad Schimel announced the new Bureau of Special Investigations Thursday. In a statement, he said the new bureau will play an important role in maintaining the transparency and thoroughness in officer-involved deaths the public deserves. 

Eastern Region Director Tina Virgil will lead the new bureau, which will be housed in the Division of Criminal Investigations. According to DOJ spokesman Johnny Koremenos, the division has had 19 requests to look into officer-involved deaths since a 2014 law requiring police departments to have outside agencies conduct such investigations.