Local Union No. 487 v. City of Eau Claire

The issue in this case is whether, under the Wisconsin Constitution art. XI, sec. 3 or sec. 62.11(5), Stats., the city of Eau Claire possesses sufficient home rule authority to establish a public safety officer (PSO) program. We conclude that the city of Eau Claire does not have the authority to create such a program, and, therefore, we affirm the court of appeals.

In June, 1985, the unions and members thereof filed this action together with a motion for a temporary injunction to restrain the initiation of the PSO training. The circuit court for Eau Claire county, the Honorable Thomas H.…