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	Police Chiefs Weigh in on Clergy Sex Abuse Complaints By Annysa Johnson Milwaukee Journal Sentinel March 4, 2010 http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/86271117.html The Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association has weighed in on the public debate between Milwaukee's Catholic archbishop and the Eau Claire police chief over the proper handing of clergy sex abuse complaints involving child victims. The organization, which represents 500 chiefs around the state, issued a statement last week saying it "does not support organizational policies that encourage individuals to report this type of crime directly to the organization" because they can compromise an investigation and undermine the search for the truth. The association said civil authorities should be notified first and called on organizations to "simply and clearly state that these crimes should be reported to police." The statement comes two weeks after the La Crosse Diocese changed its notification policy so that it directs victims in cases involving minors to notify the diocese, and "encourages" them to also call civil authorities. The change was prompted by a public debate between Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki, who last served in La Crosse, and Eau Claire Police Chief Jerry Matysik over the previous policy, which directed victims to notify the archdiocese rather than police. Wisconsin Rapids Police Chief and Association President Kurt Heuer said the La Crosse Diocese change is inadequate. "Encouraging is not enough," he said. "Law enforcement needs to be notified first so statements are fresh and evidence is kept intact." Listecki issues statement Listecki, who defended the La Crosse policy in previous interviews, issued a statement Wednesday saying he agrees with the Chiefs Association's statement that police should be notified directly. La Crosse Diocese attorney James Birnbaum, who has been the point person on the issue because diocese officials have not responded to telephone and e-mail inquiries, was not immediately available for comment. The Milwaukee Archdiocese said the La Crosse change was made at the urging of Listecki, to bring it more in line with Milwaukee's notice. However, it does not mirror it directly. The Milwaukee notice at www.archmil.org directs victims in cases involving children to go directly to police; it makes no mention of notifying the archdiocese. The association took up the issue at the request of Matysik, a member of its board of directors, and other chiefs in response to Listecki's assertion that Matysik's criticism was isolated. Matysik said he made a statement to the board, but recused himself from the vote. "This is not one chief's position," Heuer said. "It's the position of the association, and we apply to all, not just the church."
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