Legislators calling for investigation into Brown Deer police after salon shooting
MILWAUKEE -- 12 state legislators have written to the Brown Deer police chief asking for an independent investigation of their interactions with Radcliffe Haughton -- the gunman in the Azana Salon & Spa shooting in Brookfield.
READ: WI legislators letter to Brown Deer Police Department
The letter dated Tuesday, October 30th accuses the department of not upholding Wisconsin's mandatory arrest law in domestic violence cases. It also criticizes them for blaming the victim for not cooperating.
The letter calls for "an open, independent and completely transparent investigation of all the department's interactions with Haughton."
Haughton fatally shot his wife, Zina Haughton, and two co-workers at the Brookfield spa Oct. 21st. He wounded four others before killing himself.
Officers went to the Haughtons' home 20 times in the past decade, including at least seven possible domestic violence calls.
Rep. Terese Berceau (D-Madison) was the letter's lead writer.
"Truly there were mistakes made a number of times -- mistakes in judgment. The police department seemed to do the 'blame the victim' routine -- as did the attorney for the woman who was abused. I was very surprised at that," Berceau said.
10 Democrats and two Republicans signed the letter, including Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee).
"There are a number of people who could do a good thorough, competent investigation, and that needs to happen right away," Richards said.
In a recent interview with FOX6 News, Brown Deer Police Chief Steve Rinzel defended the actions of his officers, speaking specifically about a standoff with Haughton in January of 2011.
One officer on the scene that day thought she saw Haughton holding something that looked like a weapon. However, in the end, no arrest was made.
"To try to say this one incident is what caused (the Azana Salon & Spa shooting) to take place, I don't believe that's the facts," Chief Rinzel said.
The two lawmakers who represent Brown Deer -- Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) did not sign the letter.
On Tuesday, October 30th, it was announced that the Wisconsin DOJ will offer Milwaukee-area police more training on how to handle incidents of domestic violence in light of the Azana Salon & Spa shooting.
CLICK HERE for additional Azana Salon & Spa shooting coverage via FOX6Now.com.