Blacks for Political and Social Action of Dane County has asked the Madison Police and Fire Commission to fire the officer who shot and killed Corey Ruiz on July 22, and a hearing Tuesday will determine whether they even have the right to make that case.
The hearing is set for 2 pm Tuesday via Zoom. Citizens can register to attend the virtual meeting at this link.
BPSA president David Hart acknowledges that state statute says only a party harmed by an officer can petition the PFC for termination, but argues that the entire community is aggreived by the killing.
“We think it’s really unfortunate that they’re calling on us to explain why a young Black man being killed in broad, broad daylight in the middle of the street with three shots, why we would have to explain why we have standing,” he said.
BPSA vice president Kirbie Mack said she recalls admonishing her son not to ride in a car with other young Black men, because doing so could draw police attention, or worse, and that BPSA has standing as representatives of the broader Black community.
“I believe that we, as people in this community and advocates in this community ,are speaking for people who for whatever reason (are) scared of losing their job, scared of interacting with the system, afraid of retribution,” she said. “God has given me this this opportunity to to be able to speak on behalf of my people when I see injustices.”
Madison’s police union will represent Kiel Baitinger-Peterson, who fired three shots to kill Ruiz at the corner of Baldwin and Williamson Streets, and will argue that BPSA lacks standing, according to a brief filed with the PFC.
The hearing will not allow public testimony, but people can write in to the PFC ahead of the hearing by emailing [email protected].
Hart said he hopes people let the PFC know that “we’re watching,” he said. “We’re not going to let you hide this. We’re just going to be watching and we’re going to make sure that that this officer is held accountable and that you’re held accountable for doing this thing fairly and in an open-handed fashion.”
The Police and Fire Commission consists of Azure Fudge Hart, Kevin Gundlach, Martha Vukelich-Austin and Mary Schauf, all appointed by the mayor and approved by the Common Council, with one seat vacant.
