Former MPD leader reacts to fatal shooting of officer

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- Law enforcement agencies across the state are showing their support for the Milwaukee Police Department after the fatal shooting of Officer Peter Jerving.

As those tributes continue to pour in, a former leader of the Milwaukee police force is sharing reaction.

Retired MPD Assistant Chief of Police Ray Banks left the force in 2020 but says during his time with the department, he experienced days similar to the day officers are enduring after losing one of their own.

"I think that Chief Norman hit a home run this morning through his passion and even through his anger. We had a great run if you will. 22 years without a fatality and then we've had four in the last five years. That hits home. That's going to linger for a very long time and our law enforcement family is going to need the support of the community," said Banks.

Banks is calling Tuesday morning's deadly police killing 'senseless'. Banks says there's not a magic fix to Milwaukee's gun violence problem and that there are a variety of factors impacting safety in our community.

He says reducing violent crime is going to take continued effort from everyone...law enforcement, city leaders, and community members.

"We need to get back to talking about these things and trying to figure out not only the breakdown of the families but what is occurring to make people really not value the value of life…we're just seeing so many senseless incidents like this one that are occurring and there's no understanding to it," he said.

Banks also said, while a challenging day, this is also a time where law enforcement comes together to support one another.