The Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition hasn't copped out on trying to change the way the city's law enforcement officials are held accountable.
In fact, Matt Nelson, MPAC's executive director, tells WisPolitics the group sees all its efforts coming to a head in August.
Nelson cited recent failures by courts and the Milwaukee Police and Fire Commission to appropriately punish officers involved in the beating of Frank Jude, Jr., and the Taser-ing of another man while allegedly incapacitated.
He said the group is ready to act and is reissuing its call from last fall for a Civilian Review Board, "to review, investigate, and determine merit on all allegations of police misconduct. The Civilian Review Board must be independent, unbiased, thorough and elected, not appointed."
The MPAC is frustrated by the lack of action in replacing the commission with such a board. "So we are planning a town hall style of meeting for the end of August," Nelson said. He said the local branches of the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union are planning to support the effort.
"Mayor Tom Barrett said he would like to attend if the time is at a time he can make," Nelson added.
He said the MPAC is also calling on the Milwaukee City Council to hold a public hearing on the problem "There is a need to rebuild police/community relationships and restore the public trust," Nelson said.
But Nelson made it clear he does not exactly trust the efforts of Milwaukee Police Chief Nan Hegerty in this department.
"She said she has done all she can do to hold officers accountable," Nelson said of Hegerty. "So she is saying she doesn't have control of the police department and the chain of command is broken; the department currently is in crisis."
Nelson claimed police brutality has not been ended in the nation's most segregated city, based on 2000 U.S. Census figures in relation to housing integration. "The police can't effectively address crime in the city without addressing police crime; the police can't address violence in the city without addressing police violence," Nelson said.
Hegerty's office offered no response to Nelson's charges.
In fact, Matt Nelson, MPAC's executive director, tells WisPolitics the group sees all its efforts coming to a head in August.
Nelson cited recent failures by courts and the Milwaukee Police and Fire Commission to appropriately punish officers involved in the beating of Frank Jude, Jr., and the Taser-ing of another man while allegedly incapacitated.
He said the group is ready to act and is reissuing its call from last fall for a Civilian Review Board, "to review, investigate, and determine merit on all allegations of police misconduct. The Civilian Review Board must be independent, unbiased, thorough and elected, not appointed."
The MPAC is frustrated by the lack of action in replacing the commission with such a board. "So we are planning a town hall style of meeting for the end of August," Nelson said. He said the local branches of the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union are planning to support the effort.
"Mayor Tom Barrett said he would like to attend if the time is at a time he can make," Nelson added.
He said the MPAC is also calling on the Milwaukee City Council to hold a public hearing on the problem "There is a need to rebuild police/community relationships and restore the public trust," Nelson said.
But Nelson made it clear he does not exactly trust the efforts of Milwaukee Police Chief Nan Hegerty in this department.
"She said she has done all she can do to hold officers accountable," Nelson said of Hegerty. "So she is saying she doesn't have control of the police department and the chain of command is broken; the department currently is in crisis."
Nelson claimed police brutality has not been ended in the nation's most segregated city, based on 2000 U.S. Census figures in relation to housing integration. "The police can't effectively address crime in the city without addressing police crime; the police can't address violence in the city without addressing police violence," Nelson said.
Hegerty's office offered no response to Nelson's charges.
