Madison Reporter

The Madison Police Department is implementing a new policy intended to alleviate fears over underage drinking citations during medical emergencies. The Amnesty Through Responsible Action program is effective starting Tuesday. This policy provides immunity to both the individual incapacitated by alcohol or drugs and the person who calls for help.

In order to qualify for immunity, the caller must stay with the impaired individual until medical services arrive and must cooperate with responders. The program's primary goal is to prioritize safety over penalties.

Lieutenant Jimmy Imoehl, who contributed to crafting this policy, stated, “If you need medical help, don’t let fear of getting a ticket or anything like that stop you from calling for help.” The policy, however, will not offer immunity if the emergency services are initiated by police or if there are other infractions taking place, such as providing alcohol to minors or using fake identification.

This initiative mirrors a similar policy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department. Additionally, it ensures protection from citations for underage drinking if the individual is a victim of a crime, like sexual assault or violence.

Lieutenant Imoehl added, “Our policy is a promise to the public that, if you call for help, it doesn’t matter which officer you get, they will not be writing these tickets.” It's noteworthy that for individuals under the age of 18, legal guardians will be notified at the earliest opportunity.

Additional details about the Amnesty Through Responsible Action program are available on the Madison Police Department's website.