J.B. VAN HOLLEN
ATTORNEY GENERAL

Criminal Law Handbook

The role that is prescribed for law enforcement officers in our criminal justice system can be difficult, but it is one we at the Department of Justice never cease to appreciate. One of the factors that makes it difficult is the necessity for officers to implement legal requirements -- often on a split-second basis. Such actions may then result in days or weeks of judicial or even legislative examination.

In our role supporting the men and women of Wisconsin law enforcement, DOJ tries to provide carefully considered guidelines to help you as you serve and protect our citizens. To that end, the Wisconsin Department of Justice - Training and Standards Bureau publishes and distributes the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers Criminal Law Handbook. The handbook, which provides reasonable, practical guidelines in an outline format, indicates the very best options for what officers can and cannot do in selected situations.

The 2007 version of the Criminal Law Handbook is now being mailed to Wisconsin law enforcement agencies. Agencies will receive one copy for each certified, primary officer. If your agency employs primary officers and you do not receive any copies of the Criminal Law Handbook, please contact Tami Trevino at 608/264-6377. Additional copies are available for purchase from Document Sales at 800-DOC-SALE (800/362-7253) or agencies can download the files from WILENET and make additional copies.

We believe that a continued reference to the handbook's procedures by officers in training as well as in operational settings will help prepare all in successfully implementing the law. Thank you again for your commitment to excellence in law enforcement, and for the good work you do every day to help protect our children, families and great Wisconsin communities.

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