Committee passes resolutions urging Fire and Police commission to enhance community outreach and diversity

At today’s special meeting of the Public Safety and Health Committee, the committee recommended approval of file #200292 – Resolution urging the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to collaborate with the Milwaukee Police Department to engage with community leaders to rebuild trust and discuss community-oriented strategies to addressing local civil unrest. The goal is to have discussions around the police department’s standard operating procedure 910 – civil disturbance and crowd management. The file was introduced by Common Council President Cavalier Johnson.

“The protests and demonstrations we’ve continued to see in recent weeks are inspiring as our community comes together to tackle police reform,” said President Johnson. “Having our law enforcement agencies engage in more community-oriented conversations around the civil disobedience and crowd management standard operating procedure will go a long way toward fostering better relationships with protesters in the future.”

President Johnson also introduced file #200305 – resolution urging the Fire and Police Commission to redouble recruitment efforts within Milwaukee neighborhoods so that the Fire and Police Departments are more diverse and reflective of the communities that they serve. In June 2013, the State Legislature removed the ability for local municipalities to enact residency requirements for employees to live within the community that they serve. Currently, 50% of the sworn members of the Police Department reside outside of Milwaukee, as do 48% of the sworn (non-represented) members of the Fire Department. In Milwaukee, Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native Americans comprise 65% of the city’s population while they make up just 32% of protective service employees in City employment. This file was recommended for approval.

“I’ve long advocated that our police and fire personnel need to better reflect our city’s population, and this moment is an ideal time for the Fire and Police Commission to redouble these efforts.” said President Johnson. “When our protective services employees live in the neighborhoods they serve, and look like the people their sworn to protect, it greatly enhances the public’s trust and confidence in them.”

Both files will be before the full Common Council for adoption at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 7 at 9 a.m.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.