MADISON, Wis. – Yesterday, Rep. Shannon Zimmerman, a member of the Joint Committee on Finance, voted to approve $4,000,000 in one-time funding to the Department of Justice to launch a law enforcement data-sharing technology pilot program. Currently, law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin utilize a variety of different vendors that do not allow direct inter-agency access.

This program is designed to provide law enforcement agencies in southeastern Wisconsin with advanced tools to integrate records and streamline criminal investigations, allowing officers to instantly access notes, incident reports, and citizen complaints from participating neighboring jurisdictions.

“This is a big win for public safety,” said Rep. Zimmerman. “When cases involve more than one area, officers often waste hours asking for and checking information from other departments. Law enforcement can spend less time on paperwork and more time catching criminals.”

The pilot program targets the state’s largest interconnected metropolitan areas, specifically focusing on law enforcement agencies within Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington, and Waukesha counties.

To qualify for these grants, the technology must meet rigorous standards, including:

  • Real-time data integration from common law enforcement systems.
  • Secure, permission-controlled access that protects sensitive information.
  • Full compliance with Criminal Justice Information Services security standards.
  • The ability to reach full operational capability within 90 days of initiation.

“By maximizing existing data and breaking down information silos, law enforcement will close cases faster, leading to quicker justice for victims and communities,” said Zimmerman.