Number
021281
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DONOVAN
Title
Motion expressing lack of confidence in Chief of Police Arthur L. Jones' leadership of the Police Department.
Analysis
This motion expresses the Common Council's lack of confidence in Chief of Police Arthur L. Jones' leadership of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Body
Whereas, Chief Arthur L. Jones has been chief of the Milwaukee Police Department since November 1996; and
Whereas, Under his stewardship of the Police Department, compared to other major cities, the City of Milwaukee has experienced persistently high crime rates, particularly for homicide; and
Whereas, Recent increases in police response times for high-priority calls have become a source of concern among the members of the Common Council as well as the residents of the City of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, During the Chief's tenure, claims filed against the City for police actions have resulted in substantial payments by the City; and
Whereas, In recent years, the Police Department has undertaken increased numbers of internal investigations against police officers, impacting on officers' morale and hampering officers' ability to arrest law violators and investigate crimes; and
Whereas, During Chief Jones' tenure, relatively large numbers of police officers have left the Police Department due to a variety of reasons, including terminations and resignations; and
Whereas, In 2001 and 2002, actual police overtime expenditures surged dramatically, far exceeding budgeted amounts, with no discernable correlation established between police overtime spending and declines in crime; and
Whereas, The Chief's policy relating to seizure of firearms has resulted in fewer firearms seized from felons in possession of firearms as well as from other sources of firearms that facilitate their unlawful possession; and
Whereas, Moreover, the Chief has filed a charge of discrimination against the City of Milwaukee and the Fire and Police Commission with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, requiring expenditure by the City of substantial sums of money to retain an outside attorney to represent the City and the Fire and Police Commission; and
Whereas, Over the last several months, the Chief has been reluctant to work cooperatively with members of the Common Council and leaders of community organizations, as evidenced by unreturned phone calls and letters, and has declined invitations to neighborhood meetings; and
Whereas, The Chief's recent name-calling and outbursts against members of the Fire and Police Commission and various elected officials have been inflammatory and disrespectful, and have sharply diminished his credibility as a public official; now, therefore, be it
It is moved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council expresses its lack of confidence in Chief Jones' leadership of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 02627-1
TWM/rk
12/4/2002