Former MPD chief Alfonso Morales did not get due process when demoted, city admits

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The city of Milwaukee on Monday, Nov. 16, asked the court to send back the case regarding the demotion of former police chief Alfonso Morales to the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission for a full hearing. 

"The City requests the Court remand this matter to the Board for further proceedings with instructions that Morales is to receive the due process to which he is entitled." 

Morales did not receive a full hearing when he was demoted on Aug. 6. The commissioners unanimously voted to demote Morales to captain, and to have Assistant Chief Michael Brunson serve as acting chief.

"It was responsible for the city attorney to acknowledge and concede that what they did, did not live up to their statutory obligation," said Franklin Gimbel, Morales' attorney.

Morales' attorney doesn't want the case sent back. 

"We think that the current members of the FPC are not impartial, they have expressed a negative views about the chief," said Gimbel.

Gimbel says he thinks the court should simply reinstate Morales as police chief.  "At a minimum, with this filing we think the court should reinstate Chief Morales to the chief's chair effective the day they demoted him," he said.

Morales is seeking $625,000.

Mayor Tom Barrett's office said this is an ongoing legal issue and they do not want to comment.

FPC Chair Nelson Soler directed all questions to the city attorney office.