MILWAUKEE — With less than two weeks to go until acting MPD Chief Michael Brunson retires, Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission has yet to name a new chief.
Back on Dec. 3, the vote was split at three votes for Hoyt Mahaley and three cotes for Malik Aziz.
The vote remained deadlocked Thursday night. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett released a statement:
“I appreciate how seriously the commission is taking this decision all while being transparent. Whether there is a seventh member or not, the current six committee members have a job to do and that’s to select Milwaukee’s next police chief. There will be consistent leadership at the Milwaukee Police Department while this decision is being made.”
Mahaley is former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and former Police Officer for Milwaukee Police Department. He also attended Rufus King High School.
Mahaley was an officer in Milwaukee from 1992-1997.
Earlier in the week, Milwaukee’s chapter of the NAACP fully endorsed Aziz.
“The community wanted community oriented policing,” said Fred Royal, president of the Milwaukee chapter of the NAACP. “(Aziz) demonstrated that back home in Dallas. Not only that, he has also testified in the 21st century task force, which is one of the pillars for community oriented policing.”
The commission will meet again on Jan. 7 regarding the decision. Acting Milwaukee Police Chief Michael Brunson is set to retire Dec. 23.
