Amid criticism, petition supports Chief Morales: 'You don't give yourself like that if you don't care'

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales continues to face mounting criticism, including from the ACLU of Wisconsin Wednesday, June 10, but a petition with 2,000 signatures and counting shows support for the chief. One of those signatures came from someone who said it's her turn to stand alongside the chief.

During protests across the city in the wake of the officer-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, demonstrators have called for change, including at the Milwaukee Police Department.

"Law enforcement is being crucified," said Chief Morales during a news conference Friday, June 5.

A Change.org petition calls for Chief Morales to resign, while another backs him up.

"Although we need police reform, I also feel like persecuting the good ones is not the way to go," said Devennuette Prince.

In signing the petition, Prince wrote, "I am a retired officer with personal knowledge of the character and dedication of Chief Morales."

Prince said the chief supported her during 26 years on the department -- even when she sued the city over employment discrimination.

"As a black woman, it's hard to be a supervisor on the police department, especially when you're supervising majority of men, and so, for him to say, I supported you as a supervisor, and didn't agree with what happened to you, that said a lot to me," said Prince.

"I'm angry because we are not being believed," said Chief Morales during Friday's press conference.

The retired officer said Morales' strongest leadership skill is his ability to listen.

"I think Chief Morales has been doing that from the time that he's been on the department," said Prince. "You just don't give yourself like that if you don't care."

On Wednesday, the ACLU of Wisconsin called MPD's approach to the protests "callous and counterproductive," issuing this statement:

Chief Morales is set to undergo his six-month review process before the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission later in June.