Evers bans chokeholds, Assembly votes to block defunding

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill into law banning police chokeholds, except in life or death situations.

He signed it Tuesday, the same day the Assembly sent Evers a measure that would penalize local governments that attempt to defund their police departments. The Assembly also passed a bill that sets as statewide use of force policy for police and includes criminal liability for officers who do not intervene.

Other bills Evers signed will require the reporting of incidents when police used force, the posting of use-of-force policies online and will create a community policing grant program.