More than 100 Wisconsin law enforcement agencies have withdrawn their security contracts with the Democratic National Convention ahead of their mostly virtual convention, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Monday. Fond du Lac Police Chief William Lamb told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the deals had collapsed, saying he expected other state agencies to pull out as well. Lamb is president of the Wisconsin Police Executive Group, made up of police chiefs from cities with more than 20,000 residents. More than 100 police departments are pulling out of security arrangements to send personnel to next month`s Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee because they ordered officials to use certain measures to control crowds during protests, Fox News has learned. The withdrawals raised doubts about a program designed to get about 1,000 police officers from outside agencies to increase security for the event scheduled for the week of August 17. Organizations that have been shown to have withdrawn include the Fond du Lac, Franklin, Greendale and West Allis Police Departments. He could not reveal how many officers he lost for security reasons, but says the reason authorities withdrew from the convention is related to instructions from the fire commission and police given to him last week regarding crowd control. In particular, they are concerned about the directive to stop using tear gas and large amounts of pepper spray. MILWAUKEE – More than 100 law enforcement agencies are pulling out of deals to send personnel to bolster security at next month`s Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, in part because of concerns over a recent directive ordering city police to stop using tear gas to control crowds. Morales did not specify which agencies would not come or how many agents were still expected. The initial plan was to have 1,000 officials from external agencies available to assist with security. Morales said the use of the National Guard or the use of federal aid is being considered.
The Milwaukee Police Department enlisted the help of more than 1,000 officers from other law enforcement agencies for security at the Democratic National Convention. Even though the event at the Wisconsin Center will be reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of many of these officers will make things more complex for the Milwaukee police. The Wisconsin State Patrol also plans to provide security assistance in the DNC, as does the Rock County Sheriff`s Office. Madison had initially pledged to send 100 officers to Milwaukee for a 10-day convention before it was shortened and postponed until August. Morales spoke to several media outlets on Tuesday and told at least one of them that more than 100 law enforcement agencies had pulled out of agreements with the city for security reasons in Congress. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice sent by officials in Milwaukee two weeks ago, he listed fewer than 60 partner agencies that helped keep the DNC safe. “For safety and security reasons of delegates and participants at the Democratic National Convention, the Milwaukee Police Department refuses to comment on staffing for its operational plan,” it said in a statement Late Monday. At least 100 law enforcement agencies have withdrawn their agreements to send personnel to next month`s Democratic National Convention, some of them citing instructions to milwaukee`s police chief to stop using tear gas and pepper spray during protests. “I am very grateful to the police forces in Green Bay, West Bend and other communities in Wisconsin and the United States who are not only honoring their commitment to providing safety during the Democratic National Convention, but also respecting the moment our nation is at as we jointly review police-community relations.
” he said. “We regret having to do that,” said Lamb, who chairs the Wisconsin Police Executive Group, made up of police chiefs from cities with more than 20,000 residents. West Allis deputy chief Robert Fletcher said the commission`s decision raised safety concerns for his department. “The commitment to send 10 officers was made by our former boss before I was appointed,” Rokus said. What`s next for the police? Morales said he was concerned about whether they would have enough lawsuits to protect Milwaukee and the DNC visitors. He does not refuse to get help from the National Guard or the federal government. The Civilian Oversight Commission issued the directive last week in response to the use of tear gas against crowds during protests that followed the death of George Floyd. The event, which will take place at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee, has been reduced to a largely virtual event.
Last week, a citizen oversight committee asked the Milwaukee Police Chief to publicly report on why the department used tear gas during protests in late May and early June after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and to change Milwaukee police policy to ban the use of tear gas and pepper spray. The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission said in its order that Police Chief Alfonso Morales could be fired if he did not comply. .