Milwaukee Fire and Police Departments want more diversity

Milwaukee - The Milwaukee Fire and Police Departments want to bring more diversity to their departments.

Milwaukee Alderman Ashanti Hamilton hosted an informational session Tuesday night at the Milwaukee Public Library located on West Villard Avenue.

\"It's been a push for many folks in the City to have a police force and fire police that's representative of the City.\" Said, Ashanti Hamilton.

Milwaukee police officer Alexander Ayala attended Tuesday night's meeting to provide residents with more information on the application process.

\"We can always use more diversity. But yes, more will be better.\" Said, Alexander Ayala.

CBS 58 submitted an open records request to the Milwaukee Police Department before Tuesday's meeting to get more information on the racial breakdown at the police department.

According to the 2010 census for the City of Milwaukee, Hispanics make up 17.3% of the population.

Hispanics make up 12.5% of employees for the Milwaukee Police Department.

According to the 2010 census, Asians make up 3.5% of the population in the City of Milwaukee.

Asians make up 1.5% of employees for the Milwaukee Police Department.

CBS 58 noticed a significant gap in diversity among Blacks and Whites.

According to the 2010 census, Blacks make up 40.0% of the City's population, and Whites make up 44.8% of the population.

When it comes to the Milwaukee Police Department, the percentage of White employees is at 65.2%, and the percentage of Black employees is at 17.3%.

\"I feel if you go to a call, and you see somebody that looks like you, speaks the same language, things like that, the community can be more at ease.\" Said, Officer Alexander Ayala.

Keyjuan Johnson is a local resident who attended Tuesday's meeting.

He is interested in joining the Milwaukee Police Department.

\"It can make a big difference, you can get a very different type of reaction just off skin complexion alone.\" Said, Keyjuan Johnson.

The deadline to apply at the Milwaukee Police Department this year is October 17th.

The deadline for the Milwaukee Fire Department this year is in December.

There will be three more similar informational sessions in the next few weeks.

Alderman Stamper will host a session October 3rd at MAWIB located at 2338 N. 27th Street. The session will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Alderwoman Cogg's will host a session October 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Milwaukee Urban League located at 435 W. North Avenue.

The last session will be hosted by Alderman Wade on October 13th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at DPW Headquarters located at 3850 N. 35th Street.