‘I can see a lot of improvement’: Milwaukee activists against police brutality hope discussion with acting MPD chief is first of many

Elliot Hughes
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Acting Police Chief Michael Brunson sat down with more than two dozen of Milwaukee’s most prominent activists against police brutality Monday in an effort to begin a monthly in-person conversation about policing in the city.

The event, organized by the Wisconsin chapter for the National Black Police Association, is believed to be the first time a member of the Milwaukee Police Department’s command staff formally sat down with local activists, who since late May have marched in the streets demanding numerous reforms from the department.

Over the course of two hours, activists related their experiences with police and made recommendations for changes in policy, including the creation of a citizen review board in the officer discipline process, additional cultural competency lessons for officers and a better support system for officers who call out or prevent the problematic behavior of their coworkers.

Milwaukee Acting Police Chief Michael Brunson, right, and Troy Johnson, president of the League of Martin,  listen to speakers Monday as local community activists met with Brunson to discuss policing in Milwaukee and how things needed to change. The event was hosted by the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Black Police Association at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.

About 30 people attended the event, held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, at 1905 W. Wisconsin Ave. Among them were prominent activists and community leaders such as Tracey Dent, Vaun Mayes, Khalil Coleman, Tiffany Henry and Andre Lee Ellis.

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The event received little advance publicity in order to keep attendance safe during the coronavirus pandemic, according to organizer Pamela Holmes.

The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission is in the process of selecting a new permanent chief after controversially demoting former Alfonso Morales to captain over the summer. Morales subsequently retired and filed a claim with the city for $625,000 in damages.

On Monday, Brunson declined to answer when asked if he applied for the permanent role, saying instead he is committed to “working as feverishly as possible” until “my time is done.”

The commission is expected to publicly name five finalists from 12 applicants as early as next week, according to a timeline given by Nelson Soler, the chair of the commission. A new chief is expected to be named by December.

Community activist Tracey Dent speaks during a meeting of local community activists and Acting Milwaukee Police Chief Michael Brunson on Monday at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

At the meeting, Brunson avoided making any new commitments for policy change but did note the department and the Fire and Police Commission were making progress on instituting a ban on chokeholds, unless officers are in a life or death situation, and requiring more detailed explanations of situations when officers draw and point their firearms.

He directly attributed those anticipated changes to the work of the activists in the room.

“These changes are a result of citizens demanding that change,” he said.

Afterward, Dent called the event “inspiring” but worried whether the monthly meetings would continue under a different, less accessible chief. Morales was often criticized for not reaching out enough to the public.

Brunson was named acting chief in August and has repeatedly said engaging with the community is one of his highest priorities. Since taking the role, he created a new effort to solicit feedback from the public — which some criticized as a redundant project — and said he formed his command staff around their willingness to engage with community members.

“The scary part is if Chief Brunson doesn’t get the position. What’s going to happen?” Dent asked after the meeting. “I can see a lot of improvement here. You have the right people in the room.”

Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12.