Despite challenges, Chief Morales won’t retire
Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales plans to continue fighting the Fire and Police Commission's attempt to fire him, he said during an online Milwaukee Press Club panel discussion Tuesday.
“My energy comes from the people of the city of Milwaukee,” Morales said. “That gives me my energy to be here and continue to serve. And I will serve until told otherwise.”
The commission in July issued seven pages of directives to Morales, threatening discipline up to and including termination if he does not follow them. The same tactic led to the resignation of his predecessor, Edward Flynn.
About 200 citizens have signed a letter to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, asking him to use his authority to overrule the commission's directives.
“We feel that the recent directives provided to Chief Morales clearly demonstrate the need for checks and balances on the FPCs actions during a time frame of intense pressure which has resulted in no transparency or a public-informed process,” the letter says.
Barrett spokeswoman Jodie Tabak released this statement: “According to media reports, Chief Morales has indicated he is actively working to comply with the directives. He has not stated any specific objection to the substance of the directives. Finally, he has not requested any vetoes.”
Other community members have clamored for Morales' removal. Some have gathered for “protest parties” outside his house. Morales said he had not engaged with them and does not plan to retire.
Morales also has been criticized for attending a “Defend the Police” rally Monday evening in West Allis after photos of him in a crowd without a mask were posted on social media. Tuesday, he said he removed his mask only for the photos.
Morales said he would rather focus on solving crimes than on fulfilling the Fire and Police Commission's directives. In the first 13 days after they were handed down, 10 homicides and 64 nonfatal shootings occurred in the city, he said.
The directive that has arguably caused the most controversy is one that requires Morales to come up with a new rule prohibiting police from using tear gas and pepper spray during protests.
Many police departments around the state have withdrawn offers of assistance during the Democratic National Convention, set for later this month, due to concerns about the potential change.
The commission issued a statement Monday saying the directive had been “shamelessly exploited and distorted.”
Morales said Tuesday the discussion of changing the policy has been postponed until after the convention.
“As for the DNC, there is no change in the policy to have us change how we handle civil disturbances,” he said.
Morales said the department is still working out the details of which partner agencies will help with security and whether members of the National Guard will assist.