Milwaukee police officers return after serving in Chicago for NATO

MILWAUKEE -- About 100 Milwaukee police officers have returned home, safe and sound after serving in Chicago during the NATO Summit.

The officers with MPD's Major Incident Response Team (MIRT) were assisting with controlling protests in downtown Chicago this past weekend.

The officers were responsible for patrolling a bridge at one point, and essentially helping with day-to-day Chicago police operations to free up the Chicago Police Department to handle the more violent crowd control aspect.

The officers were mostly in supporting roles, and were not involved in some of the more violent police protest clashes. The first day, officers put in a 17-hour day, and the second day, a 14-hour day.

It was a federally-funded task that left the officers receiving gratitude from Chief Ed Flynn Tuesday. "The city is proud of you. The police department is proud of you, and I am proud of you. Well done," Chief Flynn said.

Chief Ed Flynn and much of the Milwaukee Police Department brass came out to the Training Academy to welcome the officers home Tuesday afternoon, May 22nd.

Milwaukee Police Captain Stephen Basting, who commanded the team, called the Chicago trip a tremendous experience, even in a supporting role. "This is something that doesn`t always come. This is a nationwide worldwide event," Basting said.

CLICK HERE for more from Milwaukee Police Department's "The Source."

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