Police Chief Barry Weber retiring after 31 years with Wauwatosa
WAUWATOSA, Wis. - He has been Wauwatosa's chief of police for 31 years. But Barry Weber announced on Monday, Feb. 1 that he will call it a career in June.
City officials say Weber has helped modernize and diversify the police department. But critics say his leadership helped spur tension over his handling of former officer Joseph Mensah.
Expanding training opportunities, helping draft a body camera policy in late 2020, and changing recruiting efforts to promote diversity. That is just part of how the city says Chief Weber has improved the Wauwatosa Police Department.
In a statement, Mayor Dennis McBride offered praise for the outbound chief:
"Chief Weber has served 48 years in law enforcement, 31 of those years as Chief of the Wauwatosa Police Department. I thank him for his service and wish him a happy retirement."
Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber
But it is Weber's leadership that is drawing mixed reviews -- especially in handling former officer Joseph Mensah who shot and killed three people in the line of duty -- and was cleared each time.
"To continue on under his toxic leadership for another four months is frankly not a great idea," said Attorney Kimberley Motley, who represents the families of Alvin Cole, Jay Anderson, and Antonio Gonzales.
Alvin Cole, Jay Anderson, and Antonio Gonzales
Those families joined protesters in urging Weber to fire Mensah -- a move Weber said he would not make.
"I've never heard of any police officer, ever, being disciplined because of something they may or may not do in the future," Weber said.
Mensah would resign in November -- and just got a job at the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department with Weber's recommendation.
Motley said she welcomes Weber's exit -- and hopes the next chief can spur change.
Kimberley Motley
"I think they definitely want a chief that's willing to be transparent, a chief that's willing to follow the law and be a good leader, a chief that's willing to hold their own officers accountable and that strives for police excellence," Motley said.
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State Rep. David Bowen, who has joined in on several of those protests, also released a statement on Weber's retirement announcement. Bowen said he is looking forward to the change in leadership -- calling on the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission to find a chief that will help build a new and equitable future here.
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