Council Worried About Deadlock In Top Cop Vote

MILWAUKEE, WI—Members of the Common Council sent a letter to City Attorney

Tearman Spencer requesting an opinion as to what options are available should a vote to
select the new chief of police remain deadlocked after next week’s meeting of the Fire
and Police Commission.

The letter was sent Friday.

The letter spearheaded by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs states, “Last evening, the
Board of Fire and Police Commissioners deadlocked on the matter of selecting the next
chief of police. Several votes were taken and the two sides of the matter seemed to hold
their views firmly."

The item was held until the next meeting.

A new member has been nominated to the Board by the Mayor who could, possibly,
be a deciding vote.

"We also do not think it fair to place on the shoulders of a new member of a body of this consequence the burden of voting at the end of a process in which she has played no part,” the letter stated

It continues, “With this in mind, we would ask your office to opine as to what options the
Common Council and the Mayor might have to move this process forward, if the Board
remains deadlocked? The Milwaukee Police Department needs strong, progressive
leadership and it needs it sooner rather than later. Any suggestions you might have
regarding this matter would also be welcome.”

In addition to Alderwoman Coggs the letter was signed by Alderman Ashanti
Hamilton, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderman Khalif J.
Rainey, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis and Alderman José G. Pérez.