A Dane County judge has ruled that Wisconsin’s Department of Justice must release the names of all law enforcement officers in the state.
The decision rejects an effort by state officials to keep the list private. The case focused on whether public access could help identify officers who move between agencies after misconduct. State officials argued releasing the information could pose safety risks, including concerns for undercover officers. But attorneys for news organizations behind the lawsuit said those concerns were too broad.
The ruling is drawing praise from transparency advocates and criticism from law enforcement groups.
