MPD Chief Morales and FPC Chairman DeVougas deserve removal

As a Milwaukeean first, and now as a freshman Milwaukee Alderwoman, I have watched the drama unfold for years at the Fire and Police Commission.

It is true that I supported Chief Alfonso Morales when he was first appointed under former FPC Chair Marisabel Cabrera. Then, for his appointment to a full four-year term, I supported Chief Morales, again.

But today, I can no longer support Chief Morales.

I have been in communication with Chief Morales multiple times and it is clear to me that there is zero willingness to compromise; whether it is on a 10% cut to the MPD budget or on meeting with the protesters advocating for police reform and the Black Lives Matter movement, he simply refuses to budge.

It has also become clear to me that I cannot support current FPC chairman, Steven DeVougas. Just as public trust has been lost with Chief Morales, so too, has it been lost with Mr. DeVougas. The word of his alleged violations of the city’s ethics code has permeated our city and his refusal to shed light and answer questions requested by the very body he chairs is simply unacceptable.

So today, I ask my colleagues and Mayor Barrett to join me in calling for the removal of both Chief Alfonso Morales and FPC Chairman Steven DeVougas.

It is my sincere belief that we must continue to move forward with real reform, both at the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission.