Voces de la Frontera released a statement on Monday, July 22, 2020, calling for the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (FPC) to fire Police Chief Alfonso Morales. The next day the FPC announced that they will not be firing Morales, but have internally provided a lengthy list of directives that Morales must follow at the risk of “disciplinary action by the board, including discharge, suspension, or reduction in rank.”

Voces stands by our statement that Chief Morales has consistently failed during his tenure to show leadership in community policing, police accountability, or transparency.  The most recent example is his decision to not be interviewed by the FPC during their investigation of the Joel Acevedo case. For these reasons, it is hard to imagine that Morales will now suddenly comply with the directives he has been given. 

The FPC’s directives create a clear standard by which a MPD Chief should be measured.  In addition to the FPC’s directives for the release of information and footage surrounding the arrests of Sterling Brown and Vaun Mayes and the police shooting of Tari Davis, Voces de la Frontera continues to demand the release of videotapes and 911 tapes of the murder of Joel Acevedo by MPD Officer Michael Mattioli. 

If Morales fails to meet these directives, it is time for the City of Milwaukee to look for a new police chief, and ensure meaningful community involvement through the Community Collaborative Commission, the Coalition for People’s Sheriff, and other community organizations.