Mayor Tom Barrett Considering To Replace Milwaukee Fire and Police Commissioner Marisabel Cabrera

Fire and Police Commissioner Cabrera targeted by Mayor Barrett to be replaced when two other commissioners have notified the mayor that they are willing to be replaced.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 20, 2018

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, a leak from Milwaukee City Hall indicated that Mayor Tom Barrett has targeted current Milwaukee Fire and Police Commissioner Marisabel Cabrera for replacement. According to the information, Barrett will recommend Mariana Rodriguez from the Latina Resource Center to replace Commissioner Cabrera. Cabrera has not released nor confirmed that she is stepping down, but Barrett has the option to nominate Rodriguez to replace one of two other commissioners who are willing to step down.
Barrett is expected to announced his recommendation to replace Cabrera at any time.
Cabrera is credited for exposing the Milwaukee Police Department's intent to allow police officers to asked for legal status from people they encountered during traffic stops and other instances, but a community outraged led for former Police Chief Edward Flynn and Mayor Barrett to scrap the policy to ask for papers.

Nine members of the Milwaukee Common Council wrote a letter to Mayor Barrett on Wednesday urging for the mayor to reconsider his decision to replace Commissioner Cabrera. The members are Ald. NiK Kovac, Ald. Robert J. Bauman, Ald. Milele A. Coggs, Ald. Khalif J. Rainey, Ald. Robert G. Donovan, Ald. Chantia Lewis, Ald. Michael J. Murphy, Ald. Mark A. Borkowski, Ald. José G. Pérez, Ald. Tony Zielinski and Ald. Russell W. Stamper, ll. They wrote, "We write to ask that you reconsider your decision to replace Ms. Marisabel Cabrera as a member of the Board of the Fire and Police Commissioners...Cabrera has shown herself a strong, independent voice, willing to listen respectfully and make decisions thoughtfully, free of undue influence from any one group or individual...Her leadership was central to the process by which the department reconsidered its ill-advised policies relating to immigrant contact last Summer...By actions of this type, and by her independence, she has earned the trust of those the Commission is expected to serve...we believe that making the decision not to reappoint Ms. Cabrera before her term expires sends a message that you have prioritized personal loyalty over public transparency and accountability."

Cabrera is currently a candidate for the 9th State Assembly District and is challenging State Representative Josh Zepnick (D-Milw.) in the Partisan Primary Election on August 14, 2018.

Update: On Thursday, July 12, 2018, the Milwaukee Mayor's Office confirmed that Mariana Rodriguez decided to drop out from being nominated to replace Commissioner Marisabel Cabrera in the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission.