Mayor calls on chief to fire MPD officer facing homicide charge; chief says FPC has that authority

"At the request of the Board of Commissioners, I have sent correspondence to the Milwaukee Police Department, specifically to Police Chief Morales, informing them to cease all current investigations regarding Officer Mattioli, and that my Office will be taking control of the investigation moving forward. A deadline was given to the Chief to turn over all materials by 5:00 PM today and the Board expects compliance with this directive."

"The Milwaukee Police Department is pleased that the Fire & Police Commission is moving forward with MPD’s suggestion to take over the internal investigation involving off-duty police officer Michael Mattioli.

"Given the unique circumstances surrounding this incident, MPD took extraordinary steps to maintain the integrity of the investigation while keeping the trust of the community. Prior to arriving at the scene on the morning of the incident, Chief Alfonso Morales had already requested that the criminal investigation be handled by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office to avoid any appearance of bias. In addition, the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, an outside and independent agency, conducted the crime scene investigation.

"Last week, during the Public Safety and Health meeting, MPD suggested that the Fire & Police Commission conduct the internal investigation.

"The Milwaukee Police Department is grateful for the outside agencies that handled the criminal investigation from the beginning, and we appreciate the Fire & Police Commission’s willingness to conduct the internal investigation."

"Dear Chief Morales:

"I am writing regarding the employment status of Officer Michael Mattioli. Given the severity of the allegations confirmed in the criminal complaint filed against him on May 13 of this year, I believe that his employment with the Milwaukee Police Department must be terminated.

"Section 62.50 of the Wisconsin Statutes recognizes that you, as chief, have the right to terminate the employment of officers in your department. In Milwaukee Police Association v. Flynn, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals construed the statute to provide that a chief’s decision to terminate the employment of Milwaukee Police officers was a final employment action ending their pay and benefits.

"That decision does not affect the right of Mr. Mattioli to appeal his discharge to the Fire and Police Commission or circuit court. And, pursuant to Section 62.50, if he were to be successful in reversing his dismissal, he would be entitled to back pay.

"In other words, you clearly have the right to terminate Officer Mattioli, and he clearly has the right to appeal that discharge to the Fire and Police Commission. It is important to note however, that his discharge would stop the taxpayers from having to pay a salary to an individual charged with 1st degree reckless homicide.

"It is my understanding from the comments of your representatives before the Common Council Public Safety Committee on May 14th that the Department contacted the District Attorney on April 19th, the date this incident took place and requested that the District Attorney office conduct the criminal investigation, which it did. It is also my understanding, based on that testimony, that the facts found through that criminal investigation would inform the department’s internal investigation.

"Given that the District Attorney’s investigation led to very serious criminal charges, it’s clear that those charges would overwhelmingly support charges under the code of conduct supporting discharge.

"During the Common Council hearing there was also discussion of the differences between the criminal investigation and the internal investigation which could lead to the internal investigation needing more time even though Mr. Mattioli has now been charged with 1st degree reckless homicide. Specifically, there was discussion pertaining to giving Mr. Mattioli seven days to respond for a P1-21 interview.

"I can see no reason to wait seven days for a P1-21 interview. More importantly, your department’s procedure also does not require a seven-day delay in a case like this, as stated in the note following Section 450.35(D) 12:

“Note: This provision does not apply to PI-21 interviews that are related to an incident involving death or great bodily harm or where the Chief of Police determines that exigent circumstances require an immediate interview.”

"The Milwaukee Police Department has the respect and admiration of our residents. When individuals violate that trust, as Officer Mattioli has, we must act swiftly and accordingly to ensure we maintain that trust. Terminating Officer Mattioli from the department and removing him from the payroll is the appropriate step forward."

"Dear Mayor Barrett,

"I am in receipt of your May 19, 2020 letter regarding the employment status of Police Officer Michael Mattioli and your request that I terminate him. The previous day, Executive Director Griselda Aldrete informed me by letter that the Fire & Police Commission had taken my suggestion to take over the internal investigation.

"As Executive Director Aldrete stated in a press release yesterday, my Department was informed it must "cease all current investigations regarding Officer Mattioli, and that my Office will be taking control of the investigation moving forward." Accordingly, as of May 18, 2020, my Department ceased our internal investigation process immediately, and I no longer had the authority to render any discipline, including discharge of Police Officer Mattioli. That authority now lies with the Fire & Police Commission."

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