Amanda Avalos Named to Fire & Police Commission
Community organizer and policing critic named by Barrett to embattled oversight board.
The city’s Fire & Police Commission (FPC) is set to receive a new member.
Mayor Tom Barrett nominated Amanda Avalos for a five-year term on the city’s public safety oversight body. Avalos serves as senior civic engagement director for Leaders Igniting Transformation.
Her appointment is subject to Common Council approval and the body has rejected multiple Barrett FPC appointees in recent years, but council members recently have clamored for Barrett to fill the board to its legal limit of nine members. Avalos would be the seventh.
LIT seeks to organize young people of color to build political power for social, racial and economic justice. The organization was a leading proponent of an unsuccessful bid to get the Common Council to cut and reallocate 25% (approximately $75 million) from the Milwaukee Police Department budget. It was successful in getting Milwaukee Public Schools to end a contract with the police department.
Avalos would replace Raymond Robakowski who unexpectedly resigned amidst the controversial search for a new police chief. Robakowski, a former police officer, was appointed in December 2019 and provided the necessary vote to advance a four-year term for Police Chief Alfonso Morales. Then he became Morales’ most outspoken critic when the commission demoted the chief in August. Avalos previously said the commission should have fired, not demoted, Morales.
Avalos has served as vice chair of the city’s Safety and Civic Commission since its formation in 2017. That commission provides recommendations and public education related to public safety and well being, which can often involve the police department.
Joining the part-time FPC board will give her direct control. The Fire & Police Commission provides oversight of policies, hiring, firing and discipline for the police and fire departments. It does not set the budget for either department.
According to a resume provided to the city, Avalos earned a bachelor of arts degree in social welfare and justice from Marquette University in 2013. She has an in-progress master’s degree in public health from UW-Milwaukee. She’s held a number of community organizing jobs and spent almost a year with the Milwaukee Health Department through the Public Allies program. Avalos, 30, would be the youngest member of the commission.
Avalos’ and Todd’s appointments aren’t the only moves that Barrett is making. He’s also fixing another FPC issue.
Commissioner Ann Wilson has served with an expired term since 2018. Barrett has previously said she agreed to stay on until a replacement was found. Now she’s being appointed for another five-year term. Wilson works for the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee.
More about the Fire & Police Commission's Troubles
- City Hall: City Attorney Issues Confidential Opinion Regarding Morales Demotion - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 15th, 2021
- City Hall: Committee Rejects Ann Wilson’s FPC Reappointment - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 7th, 2021
- Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Completes FPC Background Investigation - Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office - Jan 7th, 2021
- FPC should halt selection of new police chief - Common Council President Cavalier Johnson - Jan 4th, 2021
- Op Ed: Mayor Barrett Is Asleep At The Switch - Jordan Morales - Dec 26th, 2020
- City Hall: Judge Restores Alfonso Morales As Police Chief - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 18th, 2020
- Jeffrey Norman Will Serve as Acting Police Chief - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 18th, 2020
- City Hall: Avalos Confirmation On Hold Because of FPC Misstep - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 14th, 2020
- City Hall: Committee Backs Leon Todd to Lead FPC - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 14th, 2020
- Commission Ties Again on Picking Milwaukee’s Next Police Chief - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 10th, 2020
Read more about Fire & Police Commission's Troubles here
City Hall
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City Attorney Issues Confidential Opinion Regarding Morales Demotion
Jan 15th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
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Kirsten Johnson Appointed Milwaukee Health Commissioner
Jan 14th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
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Municipal Court Firing Debt Collector
Jan 13th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene