Milwaukee police faced questions about a leaked sexual assault investigation video, accountability and the ACLU's $3.4M Stop and Frisk federal lawsuit settlement agreement compliance during a Milwaukee Southside Community Listening Session.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
January 28, 2020
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales held a Community Listening Session at the United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) hosted by Victor Huyke from El Conquistador LLC (Newspaper) in Milwaukee, which a large number of participants from Milwaukee's Southside and other parts of the City attended.
Chief Morales during his presentation said that crime has gone down and the department is working with various organizations, community stakeholders, local residents and others to make the City, a safe place to live in.
During the questioning session, Chief Morales was asked by Paul Mozina, a Community Advocate, what is he doing in regards of the Milwaukee Police Department leaked video? A sexual assault police investigation video was leaked in mid December to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS), where an alleged suspect was identified including vital information was reported by the MJS that would identify the sexual assault victim. Chief Morales responded to Mozina's question, "I didn't leak any video and we are looking into it and we're always looking at preventative measures when things like this happen." Morales wouldn't confirm, if an investigation has been launched within the Milwaukee Police Department to find out who leaked the video in question. Another woman at the listening session and Wisconsin State Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milw.) who asked the last questions also asked Chief Morales what is he doing to find out about who leaked the video since the Democratic National Convention is taking place in Milwaukee this Summer and security should be tighten to prevent any leaks.
Milwaukee Fire and Police Commissioner Angela McKenzie was also asked the question about the leaked video, a Milwaukee resident asked, whether or not the FPC was currently conducting an investigation? McKenzie stated, "At this time there is not. The Commission will be looking into it, and right now we're making a determination as to the body that will be doing the investigation so, that it is neutral."
Sen. Taylor also asked Chief Morales about the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) settlement agreement in the case of illegal (unconstitutional) "Stop and Frisk" by Milwaukee police who targeted Blacks and Latinos in Milwaukee, in reference to the case of Charles Collins v. City of Milwaukee (CJI report: https://bit.ly/2uL45RB) that resulted in multiple illegal on the scene cavity checks and the anticipated compliance today, Milwaukee Police Inspector Alex Ramirez responded that the MPD has at least 5 years to be in compliance with the settlement agreement. The City of Milwaukee Common Council agreed to settle the federal lawsuit case for $3.4M, but hasn't released monetary compensation (the money) to the victims, according to the ACLU Wisconsin.
Also, the question was asked about accountability, will Chief Morales terminate police officers involved in illegal acts, especially those who violate the rights of individuals and lawsuits are filed and resolved, but the officers involved remain on the job giving a bad reputation at no fault of the majority of good officers that act professionally everyday, work with integrity and are honest. These few bad officers do become a liability for the Police Department, the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission including the City of Milwaukee.
After the listening session ended at UMOS, Sen. Taylor was asked by Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA), if she believed Chief Morales and the MPD have launched an investigation into the leaked video? She replied that to her understanding, there is "no" current investigation by Chief Morales.
In December, Morales was reappointed Milwaukee Police Chief for the next four years, but he could be terminated at anytime by the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission for any just cause.
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