Aldermen override Barrett veto

Measure seeking authority to dismiss police, fire chiefs still needs state OK

The Milwaukee Common Council voted Tuesday to override Mayor Tom Barrett’s veto of a measure seeking authority from the state to fire a police or fire chief with a two-thirds majority vote.

Barrett, who vetoed the proposal last month, promptly criticized Tuesday’s vote, saying it undermined the power of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, the city’s civilian oversight board.

“The council took a step backwards today by trying to inject more politics into the Police Department, and that’s bad public policy,” Barrett said. “I’m very comfortable with my veto, and I’m going to continue to oppose making this department a politicized department.”

By state law, the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission has the authority to appoint the chiefs of both the Police and Fire Departments.

The council’s plan still requires state approval.

A spokesman for Gov. Scott Walker did not respond to questions about whether the Republican governor supports the proposal.

The council’s move comes as Republican lawmakers are pushing to overhaul the Fire and Police Commission. That bill would set requirements for at least two commission members with either police or fire experience, and those board members would be chosen by the mayor from a list of names submitted by Milwaukee’s police and fire unions. The measure also says that no police officer or firefighter may be deprived of pay during a disciplinary proceeding, investigation or trial unless the charge is sustained.

“The council has really joined forces with those attacking the Fire and Police Commission at the state,” Barrett said.

Although the measure would apply to both police and fire chiefs, discussion at City Hall again focused on Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn. In recent months, Flynn has faced increasing criticism from a number of Milwaukee’s 15 aldermen, who have repeatedly accused him of not being responsive enough to their concerns about crime.

Ald. Bob Donovan acknowledged that he has concerns about the legislation but said something needs to change.

“We’ve got significant, significant problems facing the city of Milwaukee,” Donovan said. “I believe we need to go in a new direction. I believe we need to make significant changes, because the status quo is failing this community.”

A Milwaukee Police Department spokesman declined to comment on the vote.

The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission is one of the most powerful civilian oversight boards in the country. The commissioners are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Common Council.

The veto was overridden on a 10-5 vote. Those opposed were Alds. Cavalier Johnson, Jim Bohl, Milele Coggs, Michael Murphy and Terry Witkowski.

Council President Ashanti Hamilton opposed the proposal when it passed narrowly last month. But on Tuesday he joined nine others to back the veto override.

Hamilton said he changed his mind because of the amount of “community concern,” and because he wanted to support the majority of council members.

“I believe that when you have a majority of the council that feels as strongly as they did about this issue, as the council president I felt it’s important to support that will of the council,” Hamilton said. “This wasn’t from one faction of the council. This was from all different corners.”

But Johnson, who repeatedly voted against the measure, said, “I don’t think it’s the right move for us to make.”