Village of Butler v. Cohen

This declaratory judgment action involves the Public Records Law, secs. 19.31 through 19.39, Stats. The villages of Butler and Elm Grove appeal from an order denying their motion for summary judgment and compelling them to disclose certain police officer personnel files. The villages argue that the trial court failed to examine the public policy balancing test conducted by the record custodians. We agree. We reverse because public policy weighs in favor of nondisclosure.

Attorneys Barry Cohen and Dudley Williams ("defendants" or "requesters") requested from the villages of Butler and Elm…