Milwaukee Police Commissioner Rips Department's Use Of Tear Gas On Protests
Milwaukee Police Commissioner Rips Department's Use Of Tear Gas On Protests
Chief Alfonso Morales Said Tear Gas Was Used Only A Few Times During Unrest
Friday, June 12, 2020, 12:00am
Police Department leaders in Milwaukee defended their use of tear gas against protesters at a meeting Thursday night of the city's Fire and Police Commission.
This was the first time they had appeared before the civilian oversight board since the protests began.
The civilian oversight board is considering reforms to the city's use of force and civil unrest policies in response to daily protests that have been going on there since late May. The demonstrations are part of a nationwide wave of protests of police brutality and racial injustice. Milwaukee, which is among the nations most racially segregated cities, has had some of the state's largest demonstrations.
Commissioner Everett Cocroft called it "unacceptable" for the department to have used tear gas on protesters amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Because tear gas causes coughing, watery eyes and runny noses, it could facilitate the spread of the disease among crowds.
"You've got to consider the health of the citizens," Cocroft said. "There has to be a way to de-escalate and try another way to disperse crowds."
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A protester holds a sign up to law enforcement gathered outside the city of Milwaukee's Police District One building on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Madeline Fox/WPR