Fight Crime

Fight crime. Restore integrity. That is what I have set out to do since I took the oath of office as your Attorney General.

My approach as Attorney General is straightforward and direct; the Department of Justice must be a beacon of blind justice to ensure the trust and faith of our citizens in our government; government which protects life; government which promotes liberty by enforcing laws against the lawless who would take our liberties away; government that promotes happiness, by allowing us to make decisions about how to live and to set our own lawful priorities; and government that delivers justice.

Victims deserve justice. Fighting crime by assisting in the investigation and prosecution of these crimes, and defending the state when criminals appeal their convictions, moves victims of crime closer to justice while holding criminals accountable to the neighborhoods they diminish.

For far too long and for far too many victims justice had been delayed. When I became Attorney General, the DNA backlog at the Wisconsin’s Crime Labs was growing faster than government. Local police and sheriffs were left waiting to identify criminals and the results which would assure their successful prosecution. Most importantly, this backlog caused victims to experience delays in justice, and frighteningly, left unknown numbers of undetected criminals to prey on Wisconsin citizens. I identified this as the first step in how I, as Attorney General, was going to help fight crime.

After a through business-like analysis I went to the legislature and the Governor and explained I would be requesting 31 new analysts to eliminate the backlog in four years. Data showed I needed 60 analysts. Under my leadership, the Department’s Labs would work, through efficiencies and technology, to make the other half of the well-established need. This proposal was mindful of both the needs and costs. As a fiscal conservative, I don’t expect the taxpayers to carry all the burden – they need to get more out of what they are already paying for.

Protecting Wisconsin’s most vulnerable is a priority of mine as Attorney General. Fighting predators who prey on children and protecting Wisconsin’s aging population deserve particular attention. The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force at the Department is committed to fighting these most egregious and plague-like criminals. By expanding the number of law enforcement officers dedicated to ICAC and doubling the number of task force affiliates we intend to set new records for warrants and arrests.

Whether it is processing much needed evidence, protecting children and older citizens, fighting voter fraud, or doing what the Federal Government will not do and address the issues related to illegal immigrants the Department is committed to does is premised upon integrity at all levels.

As important as fighting crime in the state is restoring integrity to the Department of Justice. Some might say it’s fighting a crime of a different sort.

Big government is far more than a stack of laws, regulations, and rules. Big Government is also the frightening philosophy subscribed to by some activists that allows them to exceed the bounds of the law to promote their agenda and punish those who disagree. That is the wrong approach.

I will not use my office to advance a personal political or social agenda. I have not and will not sue law abiding citizens on trumped-up nuisance actions to get them into court.

I have not and will not sue Legislators you elect to encroach on their, and your, power. I have not and will not sue the Federal Government to accomplish through the courts what voters deny at the ballot box.

I will not announce the beginning of a Department of Justice investigation through a press release – potentially damaging the reputations of those presumed to be innocent until proven guilty – and trying to “win” in the press what cannot be proven in court.

Integrity means leadership. This standard must be the Department’s standard. All those in whom you and I have placed trust as employees and administrative leaders in the Department must demonstrate and practice this integrity. I will accept nothing less.

I promised you when I ran for election that I would fight crime and restore integrity. The oath I took as Attorney General demands adherence to the law and Wisconsin’s Constitution. I freely and will great humility took that oath.

And intend to keep my promises.

Fight Crime, Restore Integrity