Some want MPD's temporary 2-officer per squad policy to be permanent, but acknowledge it'd be costly
MILWAUKEE -- In the wake of the shootings of police officers in Dallas, Baton Rouge, and here in Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Police Department is sending out officers in two-person squad units. FOX6 News has learned more about how long this policy will be in effect, amid questions about how this policy should be carried out. On Sunday, July 17th, near 17th and Morgan on the city's south side, 31-year-old Brandon Baranowski, a Milwaukee police officer, was on the scene of a domestic violence related investigation along with another officer. They were seated in separate squads when a suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Tomas Uriegas of West Allis, approached and fired shots.
MPD officer shot, wounded near 17th and Morgan
Baranowski was struck and wounded, and had surgery Monday. Uriegas later took his own life. Milwaukee police now say officers will be dispatched in two-person squad cars full-time "until a better intelligence picture is developed regarding the Dallas and Baton Rouge attacks," and following the shooting in Milwaukee.
Mike Crivello, Milwaukee Police Association
"What is common sense? Two officers in a car can absolutely prevent a terrible tragedy such as the one that took place Sunday morning," Mike Crivello, president of the Milwaukee Police Association said. An MPD spokesman said the following in a statement to FOX6 News on Monday, July 18th:
Chief Flynn’s July 8th order that all evening and night shift squads be staffed with two officers “for the time being” was apparently interpreted as only through the weekend and then there would be a return to the standard staffing pattern mix of one officer and two officer squads. MPD routinely dispatches two officers to all calls with a potential for violence whether they are in one squad or two vehicles. That was the case on Sunday morning. Two single officer squads were on scene when Officer Baranowski was attacked. On Sunday, July 17th Chief Flynn issued a directive that all patrol squads will be staffed by two officers on all shifts until a better intelligence picture is developed regarding the Dallas and Baton Rouge attacks. "It must be noted that research and experience have overwhelmingly demonstrated that officers are not made any safer in a two-officer squad. I have issued a directive out of an abundance of caution and in recognition of expressed concerns. But, as the threat picture clarifies, I must retain the flexibility to properly staff the streets and protect the city. That will necessitate a return to the Milwaukee Police Department’s historic configuration." –Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn
Data on officer attacks According to FBI statistics for 2014, the most recent year for which complete data is available, 30 officers killed in felonious acts had assistance when they were attacked while 16 were alone. In 2013, 9 officers killed in felonious acts were alone while 16 had assistance when they were attacked. Crivello claims the data is incomplete since it cannot measure attacks that never happened because a suspect was deterred by the presence of multiple officers. "The chief is a smart man," Crivello said, "He knows that crime that doesn’t happen is very difficult to measure. He knows the crimes we have prevented are nearly impossible to measure." Executing the plan In the short term, there are different ideas as to how best to carry out this policy change.
Alderman Bob Donovan
"If we have X amount of squads out there now that are one-man, we ought to be able to add that additional man on overtime. That would be my desire," Alderman Bob Donovan said. "There would not be more officers pulled in to enable us to have two-man squads. There simply would be less cars on the street with the same amount of officers," Crivello said. Milwaukee Police did not respond to our request for information on how the change would be carried out. Crivello wants the two-officer per squad policy to be permanent -- which he acknowledges would be costly.
MPD officer shot, wounded near 17th and Morgan
"We don`t have the cops or the money at this point to do that and so that creates a concern," Donovan said. Donovan said in August, the Public Safety Committee, which he chairs, will release a series of recommendations -- one of them, to hire more officers. Meanwhile, Crivello on Monday evening told FOX6 News Officer Baranowski was out of surgery, adding the surgery went well. Below is the complete statement issued by the Milwaukee Police Association on this temporary two-officer per squad policy:
The Milwaukee Police Association has been advocating for two-man squads for seven consistent years. While no permanency has been accomplished, occasionally the department has reluctantly acquiesced on a temporary status. This no longer is good enough, nor has it been for a very long time. Sunday morning we nearly lost one of our sons. If not for many intervening factors Sunday would have been an absolute tragedy… the officer’s warrior ethos coupled with both the responding officers and our beloved brethren from Milwaukee Fire certainly supported a positive outcome. Our country and most assuredly our city is at a crossroad - leadership must lead and do so appropriately! The Alderpersons and the Mayor need to stand together and unequivocally condemn assaults on police. I remind: just hours after receiving a WI Supreme Court ruling that City Hall did not favor, they united in statement opposing the ruling – no lives were in danger. Police lives and certainly that of the community are in danger now. No politics, simply a unified voice in support of a better tomorrow… can the community count on you? Permanent Two-Man Squads is not a request -- it is a DEMAND! Our officers must be afforded every effort and opportunity, as to mitigating safety realities. The officers must know they are supported… not solely in words, but actions. Better tomorrows begin with community unity, honest leadership and a condemnation of the lawless. The sentries of the city – your professional officers, with your support are integral to all success achieved. …thoughts and prayers to the entire grieving LE Community; with a united community/nation we stand!
