MADISON, WIS. — Madison will continue to allow police to use tear gas for crowd control.
The Common Council opted not to prohibit the chemical agent in a meeting Tuesday, however, alders did vote to require a report from the Independent Police Monitor after tear gas is used. The report would be started within 30 days of the event where the gas was used.
REPORT: Madison city council to take up tear gas ban again
The council was originally voting on an ordinance proposed by alder Juliana Bennett that would have banned tear gas usage, with a few exceptions. When used in those exceptions, a report from the Independent Police Monitor would be required. That proposal was amended to eliminate the ban but keep the reporting requirement. The council passed the amended proposal, 14-4, with one abstention.
Police departments around the county, including Madison police chief Shon Barnes, said they opposed banning tear gas, arguing that banning it would only create new problems.
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