Milwaukee Common Council president Cavalier Johnson is “optimistic” a controversial federal COPS grant can still be passed. The grant would allow the police department to hire 30 officers.
“I’ve been working very hard to keep this opportunity alive,” Johnson told WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi on Tuesday. “I do believe the council will get to a point where we have alignment.”
Members of the council denied the grant earlier this month, stating the rejection was due to a ‘generational change.’
Johnson believes both options are possible.
“You can accept the grant and fight for (police) reform at the same time,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the city’s Fire & Police Commission remains deadlocked on who to hire for police chief. Johnson reiterated his support for giving the mayor the power to appoint a new chief, with council approval.
“I would certainly be supportive of changing that rule,” Johnson explained. “This is not a rule the city can change on their own. We need permission from the state government.”
