'Pattern Of Abusive Behavior,' Group Says About Wauwatosa PD

WAUWATOSA,WI—The Peoples Revolution of Milwaukee, part of the Black Lives Matter movement, released a statement Monday regarding "the abuses and escalation of the Wauwatosa Police Department," referring to the arrests of nine protesters in Wauwatosa during the first week of September.

The Wauwatosa Police Department and Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride had no comment on the organization's statement.

Wauwatosa Police made nine arrests Sept. 5 for people being disorderly while protesting, according to police logs.

"They were arrested at various locations after their involvement in disorderly and illegal cruising, driving, and protesting," the log said.

Seven of the adults were issued citations and two face felony charges for their actions, the log said.

The Peoples Revolution's statement said the actions of the department on Sept. 5 were "unequivocally unacceptable, and highlight the ongoing problems with policing in Wauwatosa".

The statement said two people were held at gunpoint by officers and their car windows were smashed. The couple was "unlawfully detained," the group said in the statement.

TMJ 4 reported the couple was mistaken to be part of a group of protesters. They ended up getting caught between a police chase involving reckless drivers, according to the report. A protester apparently tried to break into their car when police thought they were a part of the group.

The Peoples Revolution's said the treatment of the couple was "unacceptable" and would be even if they were actual protesters.

"This type of policing is not an anomaly. It is part of a pattern of abusive behavior in recent months," the statement said.

The statement calls out Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber along with other members of the police department.

"They have willfully decided to engage in harassment, violate their own standard operating procedures, ignore internal departmental policies, infringe on First and Fourth Amendment rights, inflict damage upon the property and commit acts of violence against people with no justification," the statement said.

In the organization's statement, it discusses witness accounts on Sept. 5 involving police using " tire deflation devices against protesters’ vehicles, smashed protesters’ car windows, and drew their weapons against unarmed and compliant protesters. Police beat a black woman who was already on the ground and compliant, with such force that she was taken to the ER, diagnosed with a concussion, and kept overnight,"

The organization said the "abuses" of the police department have become a "dangerous trend" within the community of Wauwatosa.

"The message is clear: police abuse and violence is tolerated by the City of Wauwatosa and its leadership. It is not protesters who have been escalating, violent, damaged property, or harmed individuals; it is the Wauwatosa Police Department," the statement said.

The statement called on McBride to condemn the actions of the police department. The organization also encouraged residents to make their voices heard to city leadership and the Common Council.

"Let them know this type of policing is not tolerated in Wauwatosa. We are fighting in solidarity with the families of Alvin Cole, Jay Anderson Jr., and Antonio Gonzales. We are fighting for justice. The actions of police against protesters, their attempt to silence that call for justice, must be condemned. We are counting on you to take that stand." the statement concluded.

Joesph Mensah, a Black Wauwatosa police officer, involved in the deaths of Alvin Cole, Antonio Gonzales and Jay Anderson, is currently suspended from the force.

The Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission voted in late August to move forward with pre-hearing scheduling deadlines on the pending charges filed against Mensah. The Independent Investigator's report must be filed with the PFC no later than October 19.

Two of the shootings Mensah was involved in were ruled justified. The 2016 shooting of Cole is still under review by the Milwaukee County district attorney.

Patch reached out to the DA's Office regarding when a decision will be reached regarding the Alvin Cole shooting.

"There is no timeline for a decision by our office in this matter," Kent Lovern, chief deputy district attorney, told Patch.

To view the full letter visit The Peoples Revolution Facebook page.