Milwaukee, WI – On Dec. 6, at least 100 people were present at the Police and Fire Commission meeting, held in Milwaukee City Hall, to express their outrage over the Commission's decision to re-instate Milwaukee Police Department officer Richard Schoen. This move comes on the heels of multiple other police brutality incidents, including the deaths of suspects in custody – such as Derek Williams.

Schoen was fired by Police Chief Flynn in 2011, after he was caught on a police squad camera beating Jeanine Tracy, who had been arrested and handcuffed.

The commission meeting opened with commissioners standing by their decision to re-instate Schoen, citing his ‘good’ prior record. The community was completely appalled by this decision. 15 individuals, including Jeanine Tracy, testified in the public comment session of the meeting. The testimonies included everything from poems and personal stories to powerful condemnations of the MPD and Chief Flynn.

Chief Flynn was present during the meeting. He remained silent and was often texting on his phone. The crowd occasionally broke into chants and some carried signs. As a result of the meeting, the Commission agreed to revisit the reinstatement of Schoen in the next Commission meeting.

“The decision of Commission to reconsider their decision shows the power of organizing and taking the struggle to the streets. The people were in complete control of the commission meeting. It was absolutely beautiful,” states community activist Peter Adamczak.

The next Police and Fire Commission meeting will take place this Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at Milwaukee City Hall. The City Hall is located at 200 East Wells Street.

#MilwaukeeWI #PoliceBrutality #DerekWilliams #PoliceChiefFlynn #MPDOfficerRichardSchoen