Milwaukee Cops Have To Get Vaccinated Or Mask Up After Agreement

MILWAUKEE, WI — Members of the Milwaukee Police Association will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 after the union signed an agreement with the city of Milwaukee.

Police officers in the union will have to get vaccinated by Jan. 31, 2022, or otherwise will be required to a mask at all times when on duty except when eating or drinking at a safe distance, the city of Milwaukee said in a statement.

Getting the shot is mandatory regardless of whether members were infected with coronavirus previously, while the city said members who break the agreement can face discipline that includes suspensions up to discharge for repeated violations.

The union has over 1,500 members, according to the Milwaukee Police Association website. The city said the union represents sworn police officers and detectives in the Milwaukee Police Department.

A different police union, the Milwaukee Police Supervisors Organization, agreed to require its members to get vaccinated in November, the city said.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett ordered all general city employees to be vaccinated for the coronavirus Aug. 24. Union-represented employees were initially exempt from the requirement.

“At this important time in the COVID pandemic, I am pleased the Milwaukee Police Association has agreed to these reasonable steps,” Barrett said. “I appreciate the spirit of cooperation the association has brought to this matter.”

See Also:

• City, Police Union Come To Agreement Over COVID-19 Vaccinations
• Milwaukee City Employees Required To Get Vaccinated: Mayor