FPC asked to halt process to hire new Police Chief

In a letter sent today to all members of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and to City Attorney Tearman Spencer, seven members of the Common Council have called for a temporary halt to the process underway to hire Milwaukee’s next Police Chief.

The letter (attached) cites several factors, including the reported internal dysfunction affecting the Fire and Police Commission and the departures last week of the FPC’s executive director (Griselda Aldrete) and her chief of staff.

The letter states, in part: “As is widely known, the executive director of the Commission recently resigned and her chief of staff chose to depart with her. Before that, Chief Morales retired but then filed a lawsuit against the City alleging that he was unfairly treated by your honorable body. For months we have heard public and private reports of dysfunction within the Commission from the level of senior staff on down.  Many Common Council members have asked publicly whether there are enough staff members still on duty to perform even the most basic tasks of the Commission, much less to undertake the structural changes in both its own operation and those of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Departments that are so desperately needed.

We wonder who is preparing promotional lists?  Who is monitoring the A.C.L.U. settlement?  Who is ensuring that our hiring and promotional processes are as inclusive as this community needs and demands?  And who is monitoring the complaints of citizens at a time where police-community relations appear to be at low ebb?

The chief you select will be faced with immense challenges.  He or she must have the strong support of the community. He or she should not be selected under a deep cloud of uncertainty like that presently hanging over the Commission.  There is senior leadership within the Police Department sufficient to manage a brief pause in the process made in the interest of the public good.”

The FPC has announced plans to have its three finalist candidates discuss issues and answer questions during two virtual community meetings, including one this Saturday (November 7^th).

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.