Milwaukee Police Association issues statement regarding Red Arrow Park decision
The union representing Milwaukee Police Officers issued the following statement after the D.A. announced he would not criminally charge the officer who shot and killed a man in Red Arrow Park.
“The Milwaukee Police Association respects and concurs with the decision of the District Attorney's Office,\" began Mike Crivello, President of the Milwaukee Police Association. \"A thorough investigation aided by expert consultants obviously provided the DA with the necessary information which guided the DA in making the proper decision. Officer Manney' s actions were reasonable and justified considering the threat – while truly an unfortunate situation, there simply was no other option available”.
The union objected to the firing of Manney for doing a pat down of a mentally ill man, something Chief Flynn said was against of police procedure.
Common Council President Michael Murphy issued a statement that said in part:
\"It's important, in the wake of the district attorney's decision today, that we recognize first and foremost the pain that continues for the family of Dontre Hamilton. At the heart of this tragedy are a mother who lost her son through a violent death and a family that is missing a loved one in this holiday season. They have suffered for nearly eight months awaiting answers, and our community continues to grieve with them.\"
Alderman and Mayoral candidate Bob Donovan also issued a statement which said in part:
\"I've said from the beginning—Dontre Hamilton's death is a tragedy. But in the case of the decision not to charge Officer Christopher Manney, I believe the district attorney has made the correct choice. It's a choice that is based on facts—not on rhetoric, not on politics, not on protests, but on facts.
Having said that, it's worth reiterating, most especially in light of the DA's decision today, that Officer Manney's firing is an ill-conceived, politically-motivated attempt to placate protestors. It's clear to anyone who watched the news this weekend or tried to use the interstate on Friday night that, in that attempt, they failed.
The irresponsible behavior by some of these protestors needs to come to an end. Law and order must be maintained in our communities at all costs.
We find ourselves in the midst of an apparent war on police across the nation. Even as this tragedy continues to play out here in Milwaukee, my thoughts turn to the heinous and cowardly assassination of two NYPD officers this weekend. It's beyond belief that things have gone that far. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those victims in New York, and with officers nationwide who have to strap on their bulletproof vests this week.\"