Wisconsin Administrative Code Law Enforcement Standards Board
Here’s an updated overview of the Wisconsin Administrative Code’s Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB):
🏛️ Authority & Purpose
Created under Wis. Stat. § 165.85, the Board is empowered to:
Develop and enforce minimum standards for:
Recruitment
Hiring
Certification
Decertification
Training of law enforcement, tribal law enforcement, jail, juvenile detention, and tactical EMS professionals (codes.findlaw.com, wilenet.widoj.gov, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).
Certify and decertify officers, with authority to remove certification for reasons like felony conviction, domestic violence, falsifying records, or failure to pay child support (codes.findlaw.com).
Manage curriculum development (e.g., police pursuit, firearms, human trafficking), oversee schools, and administer training reimbursements and grants (codes.findlaw.com).
📘 Structure in Administrative Code
The LESB’s framework is detailed across these chapters in Wisconsin Administrative Code (LES) (regulations.justia.com):
LES 1 – General: Objectives, definitions, scope (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)
LES 2 – Recruitment qualifications
LES 3 – Training standards
LES 4 – Certifications
LES 5 – Grants
LES 6 – Decertifications
LES 9 – By‑laws: Organizational rules (membership, officers, meetings, committees) (law.cornell.edu, regulations.justia.com)
👥 Membership & Governance (LES 9)
Board Composition (LES 9.01):
14 members total
Includes the Attorney General or a designated staff member as an ex‑officio voting member
Other members serve oath of office; alternates may attend but cannot vote (law.cornell.edu)
Leadership & Committees:
Officers (LES 9.02): Chair, Vice‑chair, Secretary (details not outlined here)
Executive Committee (LES 9.04):
Comprised of Chair, Vice‑chair, Secretary (non‑voting), and 3 appointed board members
Authorized to act on urgent matters without altering policies or rules (regulations.justia.com)
Meetings: Scheduled as per bylaws, with quorum requirements established
🏫 Standards & Training Requirements
Law Enforcement Officers:
Pre-service: Minimum of 600 hours of certified preparatory training; fingerprinting and background checks required (codes.findlaw.com)
Ongoing: Annual recertification with 24 hours of training, including handgun qualification; sheriffs are exempt (codes.findlaw.com)
Jail & Juvenile Detention Officers:
Pre-service: At least 160 hours of preparatory training; fingerprinting required (codes.findlaw.com)
Ongoing: Annual training requirement of 24 hours (codes.findlaw.com)
Tactical Emergency Medical Services:
Must meet board-established standards, receive written approval from a sheriff or police chief, and complete annual handgun qualification (codes.findlaw.com)
💸 Funding & Grants
Board approves school and training program standards, reimburses agencies for recruit and recertification costs (e.g., at least $320/year per officer) (codes.findlaw.com).
Administers grants to support inter-jurisdiction training (codes.findlaw.com).
✅ Summary
The LESB, operating under Wis. Admin. Code LES 1–9, functions as Wisconsin’s central authority for establishing, overseeing, and enforcing standards for law enforcement personnel. It spans rulemaking, certification processes, training standards, policy implementation, and funding. Its organizational structure is defined by its bylaws (Chapter LES 9), ensuring governance through elected officers and a strong Executive Committee.
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