Wauwatosa Cites Technical Issues For Canceled Zoom Meeting

WAUWATOSA,WI—The Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission canceled its special meeting that was meant to be held Friday at 11 a.m. because of technical issues with Zoom. The initial meeting ID was not valid when entered.

The meeting has been rescheduled for Aug. 17 at 5 p.m., according to the city's website.

The Police and Fire Commission was supposed to discuss Officer Joseph Mensah's future with the department.

Mensah, a Black Wauwatosa police officer, was suspended after being involved in three fatal shootings of people of color over the past five years. Police say he was attacked and shot at while at home on Saturday night. A group of 50-60 people showed up at the officer's home near 100th Street and Vienna Avenue in the Milwaukee suburb around 8 p.m., "targeting" him, according to police.

Mensah was involved in the deaths of Alvin Cole, Antonio Gonzales and Jay Anderson.

During the Aug. 17 meeting, there will be a discussion regarding pre-hearing scheduling deadlines pertaining to the pending charges filed on behalf of Linda Anderson, Jay Anderson, Sr., and Starkeisha Delarosa against Mensah.

The citizen complaint against Mensah was filed on behalf of Tracy and Albert Cole. Also a police complaint against Mensah was filed on behalf of Sandra Solomon regarding the shooting of Antonio Gonzales.

The July 13th petition from Attorney Kimberley Motley states:

"On February 2, 2020 Officer Mensah fired his weapon five times at Alvin Cole killing him. We believe that Officer Mensah fired his weapon at Alvin with utter disregard for his life and potentially did not follow proper protocols and procedures. We are waiting to receive various open records requests filed on 18 June 2020, 8 July 2020, and anticipate filing future open records in preparation. It is our belief that this complaint is substantially related to the complaint in regards to the death of Jay Anderson on 18 June 2020. As such until we receive and review such documents we reserve the right to amend and update this petition."

The July 14th petition from Attorney Kimberley Motley states:

"On July 16, 2015 Officer Mensah fired his weapon eight times at Antonio Gonzales killing him. We believe that Officer Mensah fired his weapon at Antonio with utter disregard for his life and potentially did not follow proper protocols and procedures. We are waiting to receive various open records requests filed on 18 June 2020, 8 July 2020, and anticipate filing future open records in preparation. It is our belief that this complaint is substantially related to the complaint in regards to the death of Jay Anderson on 18 June 2020. As such until we receive and review such documents we reserve the right to amend and update this petition."

Attorneys for the families also sent a letter dated Aug. 13 requesting Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride fire Police Chief Barry Weber immediately.

A portion of the letter read:

"It is our position that his actions and inactions as the Chief of police with the Wauwatosa Police Department demonstrates just cause that he should be terminated immediately due to his continued violations of the written policies and procedures of the Wauwatosa Police Department, hereinafter referred to as the "WPD" his constant code of conduct violations and the incompetent leadership he has exercised.

We believe that in large part the city of Wauwatosa is experiencing unrest due to Weber's continued poor management, lack of accountability, and dereliction of his duties.

The protests and most recent events involving Joseph Mensah, which we will address below, are an unfortunate culmination of his continued mismanagement for three decades. Had Weber responded appropriately to the tragic deaths perpetuated by Joseph Mensah, had he not continued to facilitate questionable and in many instances illegal investigatory tactics by the police department in numerous situations throughout his tenure, and had he not made repeated misstatements publicly as a means to influence ongoing investigations, the City of Wauwatosa would not be the subject of national and international news critical of the city.

The request by the lawyers to fire Mensah is not listed on the Aug. 17 meeting agenda.