Milwaukee FPC votes to demote police chief to captain for role in protests

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- An oversight board has demoted Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales after questioning how he handled multiple incidents, including ordering officers to fire tear gas and pepper spray at protesters demonstrating over George Floyd’s death.

The city’s Fire and Police Commission voted Thursday evening to demote Morales to captain after three-and-a-half years on the job.

The chief’s attorney, Franklyn Gimbel, says Morales’ relationship with the commission has been deteriorating since he refused the chairman’s demand to fire an officer involved in the arrest of Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown in January 2018.

Most recently the commission criticized Morales for authorizing tear gas to disperse protesters.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says he is angry about the board’s action and says Morales should have been given a chance to respond to directives issued by the panel.