MPD Chief Morales responds to report he could be out of a job

By: CBS58 Staff

Posted: Aug 29, 2019 5:35 PM CDT

NOW: MPD Chief Morales responds to report he could be out of a job

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee's police chief is responding to a report that he may be out of a job.

Alfonso Morales' contract expires in January. A new report from WISN-AM radio talk show host Mark Belling says Morales has not yet been offered a new contract.

Morales took over for outgoing Chief Ed Flynn in early 2018. The report says that despite praise for Morales' first year on the job -- the Fire and Police Commission, whose members are appointed by Mayor Tom Barrett, has not offered him to re-sign for another year.

The timing of this could cause problems as the police department is taking on the huge responsibility of preparing for the Democratic National Convention. Thursday afternoon, Chief Morales released the following statement:

“As the current Chief of the Milwaukee Police Department, I am focused on the safety and security of the members of this agency, the citizens we swore to protect and preparing for a successful 2020 Democratic National Convention.”

CBS 58 News asked Mayor Tom Barrett Thursday if Morales’ job was in jeopardy and he said no.

“I support Chief Morales,” Mayor Barrett said. “My assumption is he’s going to apply again through the Police and Fire Commission so that’s just standard fare; nothing out of the ordinary.”

Community leaders say they are also behind Chief Morales and want to see him continue his leadership role in the Milwaukee Police Department.

“I don’t think it could be overstated the importance of the community that’s being served, feeling like they have a direct connection with the head police chief,” said Darryl Morin with the Community Coalition for Quality Policing. “It was something that was lost in previous leadership over at MPD.”