Home Madison Fitchburg hires former Milwaukee police chief Alfonso Morales

Fitchburg hires former Milwaukee police chief Alfonso Morales

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From our news partner Channel3000:

Fitchburg’s Police and Fire Commission is voting to name former Milwaukee police chief Alfonso Morales as its next chief of police.

The commission made their decision during a meeting Monday night in a 3-2 vote.

Morales was first named as a finalist for the position in late July, as he was still working on a settlement with the City of Milwaukee over the way he was fired as the head of that department.

Morales was demoted from chief to captain by Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission last summer for how he handled protests following the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020, including ordering officers to fire tear gas and pepper spray at protesters. Morales retired from the department before the demotion could take effect but ultimately decided to sue the City of Milwaukee to get his job back, claiming he was not given due process before being removed.

A Milwaukee County judge ruled in May that Morales should be reinstated as chief unless he reached a settlement with the city, which he ultimately did.

In July, Fitchburg mayor Aaron Richardson told News 3 Now trust would be key for whoever the Police and Fire Commission ultimately chose as chief.

“Trust with residents primarily, but also trust with other city departments, the police department itself, that trust is a really important piece right now,” Richardson said at the time.

Morales was announced as one of the final two candidates for the position in early August, along with Salt Lake City Police Captain Vic Siebeneck, after a series of interviews with the Police and Fire Commission and public forums.

“I have a lot of family, eight sisters, nieces and nephews I want to catch up with, but I still have a passion in law enforcement,” Morales said during a community panel. “I still have a passion where I want to work with the community, work with the youth and also mentor a police department.”

Former Fitchburg police chief Chad Brecklin left the position after being promoted to city administrator.