MILWAUKEE (AP) – A judge has returned Milwaukee’s deposed police chief to his job just a day after the board that demoted him elected a new acting chief.
Judge Christopher Foley on Friday reversed the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission’s decision in August to demote Alfonso Morales, the Journal Sentinel reported. Commissioners had criticized Morales’s handling of multiple incidents involving black people, including the arrest of Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown. They were also critical of his decision to use tear gas and pepper spray against protesters who demonstrated after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on May 25.
After his demotion, Morales retired, sued and requested a judicial review. Morales demanded $ 625,000 in damages out of town.
It is unclear what will happen next. Judge Foley reversed the committee’s decision to demote Morales to captain, but gave no further instructions – something he said he couldn’t.
“I recognize that from the city’s perspective, there are great advantages in custody custody,” Foley wrote. “Pre-trial detention continues the status quo from the conclusion of the Commission hearing with Mr Morales demoted to captain and appealed against that demotion. It avoids the potential, as noted in media accounts, of ‘two leaders’.
“But that is a potential dilemma that the Commission has conceived itself and completely ignores the damaging impact of the fundamentally flawed process on Mr Morales’ interests,” added Foley.
Morales’ attorney Franklin Gimbel told the Journal Sentinel that Morales was “pleased with his victory” and that they “would investigate to enforce the judge’s ruling.”
Mayor Tom Barrett’s spokeswoman said his office had consulted the city attorney.
Meanwhile, the committee continues to search for a permanent police chief following a deadlock with two outside candidates.