Mayor Barrett says police union vote will not change his support for Police Chief Flynn

 Mayor Tom Barrett says the no confidence vote taken by the Milwaukee Police Association membership will not change his support for Police Chief Ed Flynn.

Barrett said since it is a non-binding vote he can see no other motive for it, other than politics.

\"It's unfortunate that the union leadership has decided to politicize this issue because it is a tragedy,\" said the Mayor Thursday. \"No matter how you analyze it. And I continue to have confidence not only in the Police Chief but in the men and women who work for the Milwaukee Police Department.\"

Police Association President Mike Crivello called for the vote after the firing of Christopher Manney in connection with the fatal shooting of Dontre Hamilton in Red Arrow Park.

While Chief Flynn said Manney was justified in using deadly force against Hamilton who attacked the officer with his own baton, Chief Flynn said Manney brought on the violent struggle because he patted Hamilton down.

Such pat downs with emotionally disturbed individuals is against department policy.

Manney went to the park back in April after several phone complaints about Hamilton sleeping in the park.

Some witnesses say a pair of officers had been by twice and spoke with Hamilton and then explained to those who called, workers at a nearby Starbucks, that Hamilton was doing nothing wrong and they should stop calling.

Manney's encounter was the third exchange with police that day for Hamilton who was paranoid and had been struggling with mental illness.

Members of the police union can vote at Serb Hall until 9 p.m. Thursday.

President Crivello says the results of the vote will be delivered to Milwaukee City Hall on Friday.