Demonstrations & Assemblies

Policy: Demonstrations & Assemblies

Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman

WILEAG Standard: N/A

Issue Date: October 31, 2012

Reviewed Date: March 24, 2026

Revised Date: March 24, 2026

 

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to establish the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Police Department’s position regarding demonstrations and assemblies and how these events will be handled.

Policy:

The UW-Platteville Police Department’s function is to protect citizens’ Constitutional rights to free speech, to demonstrate, and to disseminate information in a lawful and peaceful manner while protecting others’ rights to free movement, privacy and freedom from violence. The Department has an obligation to protect citizens’ rights while maintaining order, protecting property and ensuring safety. The UW-Platteville Police Department and its personnel will be completely impartial and employees will make no public statement which reflects personal opinion on the pertinent issues(s) while on duty.

Definitions:

N/A

Procedures:

  1. The right to demonstrate, to freedom of speech and to disseminate information in a lawful and peaceful manner will be respected and protected.
  2. Wisconsin Statute UWS 18.11(4), will be the primary guide for managing demonstrations, rallies, and other assemblies.  The UW-Platteville “Guidelines and Expectations for Protest Attendance and Participation” document provides some further direction and is a resource that can be disseminated to demonstrators and/or group organizers.
  3. Demonstrations and assemblies shall be restricted to those areas which are, or are considered to be, public. 
    1. In cases where the public nature of the premises is uncertain, the demonstration should be presumed to be lawful by an officer.
    2. If there is a question regarding the lawfulness of a demonstration or assembly it shall be presumed to be lawful unless informed otherwise by a supervisor or University Official in charge.
    3. Unintentional or intentional activities preventing other people from getting into or out of a University building, stopping people from walking or driving through an area, and the disruption of classroom activities, may alter the lawfulness of the demonstration or assembly.
  4. Demonstrators or assemblers shall be encouraged to honor the rights of others by permitting access to the area by use of roads, sidewalks, and other public ways, unless a special permit has been issued by authorities.
  5. Violence and destruction or damage to property will not be tolerated.
  6. Enforcement of Laws
    1. UW-Platteville Police Officers should use discretion when enforcing any laws during a demonstration or assembly.  If any action may escalate the situation, the police officer should consider delaying action until prepared to deal with the reaction of the group.  Police officers should remember that all offenses committed do not necessarily require immediate action from the officer.
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