Milwaukee Police Association, which represents rank & file calls Manney ruling "a travesty"
MILWAUKEE (WITI ) -- In final and unanimous decisions, a Fire and Police Commission panel ruled Monday, March 23rd fired Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney will not get his job back. The decisions came after a five-day appeal hearing. The panel ruled Manney violated MPD policy and procedure when he performed that pat down, and also that Manney's use of force on April 30th was a violation of policy. The panel then decided to uphold Manney's permanent termination from MPD. Those on both sides in this case weighed in on the ruling Tuesday.
What's next for Christopher Manney is unclear. We do know, however, that he will never again be a Milwaukee police officer.
The Milwaukee Police Association is calling the panel's ruling "a travesty." The Milwaukee Police Association represents MPD's rank and file.
The MPA held a news conference Tuesday evening -- discussing the Fire and Police Commission panel's seemingly results-oriented decision, concerns for the continued safety of Milwaukee police officers and how officers can move forward after this incident.
"The firing of Christopher Manney was a travesty. Now, the FPC upholding the firing perpetuated this travesty. Very simply, the commissioners were not paying attention, truly do not understand the law and their individual responsibilities as commissioners or worst of all, had their marching orders, and followed them to a T," MPA President Mike Crivello said.
Before joining the MPA for their news conference, Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan issued a statement Tuesday entitled: "A good cop, and a bad Fire and Police Commission decision." That statement reads, in part:
"The shooting at Red Arrow Park was undoubtedly a tragedy every which way you look at it. But one does not address or attempt to alleviate the pains of one tragedy by creating another. Yet that is precisely what occurred here.
As I’ve said previously, the firing of Officer Christopher Manney was, in my opinion, ill-conceived, unwarranted and politically motivated.
I have spent time with Chris Manney and gotten to know him, and I find him not only to be a good officer, but a good human being. I can assure you he didn’t wake up that April morning thinking about who he was going to shoot that day."
"I should not have to point out after 13 years this man, Officer Manney, long before Chief Flynn even arrived here in Milwaukee served this city exceptionally well," Alderman Donovan said.
A Facebook page set up in support of Christopher Manney had the following message posted on Tuesday:
"If you pray, send your thoughts and prayers to Chris and his family. They need some good thoughts and positive energy sent their way."
This message was posted following the ruling Monday night:
The MPA says the fatal shooting and the process that followed it have been hard on Manney.
"This issue has taken a toll on him. It has been very difficult," Crivello said.
"Shame on Chief Flynn for not giving that man the respect he deserves," Alderman Donovan said.
It is unclear at this point whether Christopher Manney will appeal the FPC panel's ruling and continue to fight for his job. The MPA says they are waiting to see the FPC panel's ruling in writing, and they will then decide whether to ask a circuit court to take this case. Union officials say they aren't sure whether Manney wants to continue fighting for his job.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this story.