Former MPD officer who shot & killed Dontre Hamilton approved for duty disability benefits

MILWAUKEE -- FOX6 News has learned Christopher Manney, the former Milwaukee police officer who shot and killed Dontre Hamilton in Red Arrow Park in April of 2014 will receive duty disability retirement benefits through the city of Milwaukee.

This news came Thursday, November 5th -- as statistics show overall use of force within the Milwaukee Police Department is down.

Meeting of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission

Data shows use of force incidents were down nearly 22% in 2014, compared to 2013.

"Use of force" involves any situation in which an officer discharges his or her firearm, or uses a baton, pepper spray, a K-9 officer, taser or bodily force.

According to the data, 2.6% of all arrests made in 2014 involved some type of use of force.

Christopher Manney

30 cases involved a firearm. Eight of those cases involved shots fired at a person, and two of those cases involved a fatality.

"We`re dealing with a lot of folks who are committed to a criminal lifestyle, who don`t want to be placed under arrest. Lawful force has to be used to overcome unlawful resistance," Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said.

After Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm decided Christopher Manney would not be criminally charged after shooting and killing Dontre Hamilton -- a Fire and Police Commission panel decided to uphold Manney’s firing from MPD, and ruled that his use of force in this case violated policy.

Manney has appealed the FPC panel's decision.

Nate Hamilton

"When it comes to doing bad work, in any one situation, that outweighs the good," Nate Hamilton, Dontre Hamilton's brother said.

Nate Hamilton came to the meeting of the Fire and Police Commission on Thursday evening upset after learning Manney will receive duty disability retirement benefits.

"Where in America can you lose your job for violating policy and still collect unemployment or life insurance? Any of their benefits after they broke policy?" Nate Hamilton said.

The decision was made in September by the city's Annuity and Pension Board.

"A killer cop can get his paycheck tax free!" Nate Hamilton said.

It is understood that Manney had to have a mental evaluation in order to qualify for the duty disability.

Chief Flynn and Mike Crivello, president of the Milwaukee Police Association, declined to comment on this matter.

Dontre Hamilton and Christopher Manney