Fire and Police Commission discusses terminated officials



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- This year has been a busy one for the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission and Thursday evening, December 5th was no different as the commission had several items on their meeting agenda.

A handful of Milwaukee police officers have already lost their jobs this year after these types of meetings. The latest name connected to termination is former Sergeant Alex Lopez.

"The Chief notified the board formally that he's been fired by the department and when the chief makes that notification, the officer is removed from the payroll," said Michael Tobin of the Fire and Police Commission.

Lopez was accused of stalking an ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors say Lopez began a pattern of calling, texting and sometimes showing up at the woman's home. Investigators described some of Lopez's messages as threatening.

Fired police detective Rodolfo Gomez, terminated this week, was also in court and was a subject of discussion during the Fire and Police Commission meeting.

Gomez was involved in several high-profile cases before the 12-year veteran was accused of striking a suspect during an August interrogation.

Prosecutors say Gomez pushed and punched a man in the face and upper body multiple times after he yelled at the former detective.

In addition, on the same day this meeting occurred, Milwaukee police officers Jeffrey Dollhopf and Brian Kozelek were sentenced following allegations of illegal strip searches. Each were fined $300, sentenced to community service and forced to resign from the MPD.

MPD issued a statement saying: "The Milwaukee Police Department holds members accountable when violations of the Department's Code of Conduct are uncovered."

Lopez has appealed his firing, and city leaders say after his criminal matter is considered, they will consider his appeal.