Father of man killed by police proposes new state legislation

MADISON (WITI) -- Saturday, November 9th marks the nine-year anniversary that Michael Bell, Jr. was killed during a traffic stop by Kenosha Police. His father, Michael Bell, Sr., is now working to pass the first law of its kind in the country.

Bell is also remembering his son with a 3/4-page ad in this weekend's edition of USA Today.

"Why a national ad? Because General George Patton said 'audacity, audacity, always audacity," said Bell. "We're going to be audacious enough to put a national ad out there."

Bell will be using his national platform to try to pass a new state law -- Wisconsin Assembly Bill 409.

The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Representative Chris Taylor of Madison, would establish a fully independent review board of officer-involved fatalities. In current situations, law enforcement investigates their own colleagues.

"The public deserves, when there's an officer-involved death, to have a thorough, open and fair process," said Taylor.

"Our researchers have not been able to find, since 1980, a single, unjustified ruling by a police and fire commission, an inquest or a police department," added Bell.

On Friday, November 8th, Taylor, Bell, and the mothers of three people who died at the hands of Wisconsin police, dropped off copies of USA Today to legislators in Madison in the hopes of getting the proposed bill passed.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen believes the bill is unnecessary and unworkable.

Taylor says although Van Hollen's comments are disappointing, the proposal will get a public hearing with the Criminal Justice Committee.

"It looks like we are going to get the opportunity, and the public's going to get an opportunity, and law enforcement get an opportunity, to be heard on this issue," said Taylor.

After the public hearing there will be a vote by the Criminal Justice Committee. If that passes, the bill will then go to the Assembly floor.