MPD: 2 officers resign after body cam video shows 'misconduct while on duty'
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Police Officers Eric Fjeld and Eric Ratzmann resigned on Aug. 5 in lieu of termination after their body-worn camera video and an Internal Affairs Division investigation revealed their involvement in misconduct while on duty on June 30.
Acting Chief Michael Brunson denounced the behavior shown in the video after the officers responded to a robbery call.
Officers Ratzmann and Fjeld arrested the suspect, who questioned his arrest.
"I didn't do (expletive) wrong," he said.
He then spit on one of the officers more than once. The officers dropped off the suspect near the rescue mission at 18th and Wells -- issuing him a citation, but he refused to take it.
The officers put the suspect back in handcuffs, and this time, decided to drop him off somewhere on the north side of the city.
The suspect spit again, and Officer Ratzmann roughed him up.
"It's all over for you," the officer said.
"I won't spit, dude," the man replied.
"You (expletive) spit in my (expletive) face," said the officer.
"Just let me out," the man replied.
"You spit in my (expletive) face," said the officer.
"I won't spit, dude," the man replied.
Both officers resigned before they could face discipline from the department.
The Milwaukee Police Department released the following information in a news release:
"On August 5, 2020, Milwaukee Police Officers Eric Fjeld and Eric Ratzmann resigned in lieu of termination after their body-worn camera video and an Internal Affairs Division investigation revealed their involvement in misconduct while on duty on June 30, 2020.
Last month, Chief Brunson mandated that Milwaukee Police supervisors played the video for their officers at the start of their shift. Acting Chief Michael Brunson denounced this type of behavior in a roll call video addressed to the members of the Milwaukee Police Department and stated in part, “These are the type of incidents that bring disrepute to the Milwaukee Police Department. We can ill-afford to have this type of display of unacceptable behavior during this time or any time,” Brunson said. “And if anyone engages in the type of behavior that you will see displayed on this video, you will be separated from the Milwaukee Police Department. There is no place for individuals who treat people like this in our city,” he continued.
Officer Fjeld was discharged for violating MPD Code of Conduct core values Competence, Courage and Integrity, and Officer Ratzmann was discharged for violating core values Competence and Respect. Both officers submitted resignation documents prior to being terminated.
This is a pivotal time for our country and for our agency as we work to stop officer misconduct from occurring in our department. The Milwaukee Police Department is committed to working and engaging with our community to ensure that all of our neighborhoods are safe, vibrant and livable."