Milwaukee elected officials denied Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s appointment to the city’s police and fire oversight body July 31, raising concerns over his ability to effectively challenge law enforcement.
Common Council members denied Jordan Morales’ appointment to the city’s Fire and Police Commission 6-6, with three abstentions. Morales’ rejection was a surprise – his appointment had passed unanimously out of a prior committee – and came with late drama during the council meeting, where an effort to reverse the vote failed.
The members who objected voiced concerns over Morales’ ability to challenge law enforcement, especially on hot button issues facing the council, including the controversial Flock license plate tracking technology. Flock has come under scrutiny in recent months after Milwaukee Police Department members faced criminal charges for misuse of it.
“I’m looking for a FPC that is not okay with the status quo,” said Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic, who voted against Morales. “That is going to ask extremely difficult questions … not just ask but demand answers.”
Morales is a longtime traffic safety advocate and previously said he wants to see the Milwaukee Police Department better focus on quality-of-life crimes. After the vote, which he was not in attendance for, he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a text message he was disappointed by the vote.
He said he respects the city’s police officers for the job they do to protect Milwaukee. But he acknowledged the department needs to earn the community’s trust on controversial topics like surveillance technology.
“Trust needs to be earned, not just given,” Morales said. “I would be completely committed to finding a path towards that level of trust with all stakeholders.”
Johnson, who nominated Morales to the FPC, said he was “disappointed” by the members who objected to his confirmation. Morales would have been a strong addition to the FPC as he had a solid record of advancing public safety in the city, Johnson said.
“Those council members who failed to support the nominee … are neglecting their obligation to the people of Milwaukee,” Johnson said in a statement after the meeting.
In the meeting’s final minutes, Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa requested to change her vote in an effort to reconsider Morales’ confirmation, she told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Zamarripa initially abstained and then wanted to change her vote and confirm Morales.
Zamarripa said she abstained in the moment because she didn’t expect the committee’s contention over Morales’ confirmation. Zamarripa did not meet with Morales but said she knew and supported his work in the community.
“I went into the council today and believed I was going to support Jordan Morales nomination. I was thrown off by the unexpected contention and debate,” she said of why she initially voted to abstain.
Her request was not granted, after an objection by Ald. Bob Bauman. After the meeting, Zamarripa said she was “disappointed” by Bauman’s decision, which came shortly after council members allowed another member to switch a vote on a separate item.
Council members’ rejection of Morales came amid a report he previously left a loaded gun in an employee bathroom at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, where he worked as an air traffic controller. Johnson was aware of the incident and did not consider it disqualifying when nominating Morales, a spokesperson previously told the Journal Sentinel.
Morales faced no criminal charges in the incident.
That issue was not brought by any council members who voted against him.
The Fire and Police Commission is the city’s citizen oversight body for the fire and police departments. It was once considered one of the most powerful oversight bodies in the country, including being able to modify department policies before a 2023 law stripped it of that power.
David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@usatoday.com.
Shane Colpoys is a reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at SColpoys@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee council rejects police oversight body nominee in surprise vote
Reporting by David Clarey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By David Clarey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
