Milwaukee Police Chief refuses to except open carry ruling

[Hazcat]

Friends-

As a LEO for 29 plus years; put yourself in the shoes of the police officer on the street. You have thugs and you have the law abiding. Now you have someone, who you do not know, openly carrying a firearm. Is this person a nut job, a thug or a citizen exercising his legal right to open carry? How would you approach the individual? What precautions would you take or would not take? And please common sense rules here..

I personally think that you are putting yourself at a great disadvantage when you openly carry. The chief does not help his subordinates by taking the position he verbalized. He could have explained his position in a more sensible way; but then the newpapers would not want that either.

SgtZ,

I have no problem with an officer approaching the citizen and asking a few POLITE questions.

I DO have a problem with 'take downs' for no reason other than exercising your rights.

[ericire12]

The Milwaukee Police Chief sounds like an arrogant pig, no pun or disrespect to LEOs intendened.  Refering to citizens excecising their constitutional right to carry and protest is unacceptable.  No offense to real cowboys, but I interpet the way he used cowboys as demeaning and derogatory.  If this meets the definition of hate speech he should be prosecuted.  At the least the city council should discipline or terminate him.  If I were to talk in this manner about gays or minorites I would be strung up.  Would he belittle someone for reading the newspaper in a public park?  That is protected as is the right to carry and protest.

The problem that I see is not just that he is discriminating or playing politics here, but more importantly that he is publicly saying that he will not do his job and enforce the law. He is tarnishing the entire police force when he says that he will pick and choose which laws he feels should be enforced. He is betraying the public trust and undermining the entire criminal justice system of his state and local community. For that alone, he should be fired. What good is a police officer at any level that will make a statement to a reporter that they will not accept the law as it is written. It is not his job to interpret the law..... it is his job to enforce it. He is required to enforce EVERY law, if he agrees with it or not. If he can not or will not do that job, he should be fired.


*If this guy was a member of the military he would either be court marshaled for not following orders or charged with treason.

[ericire12]

SgtZ,

I have no problem with an officer approaching the citizen and asking a few POLITE questions.

I DO have a problem with 'take downs' for no reason other than exercising your rights.

Right. An officer that does a traffic stop is in EXTREME LIFE THREATENING danger each time he approaches a vehicle to do a stop...... BUT we do not allow officers to approach each car with gun drawn and force the driver to the ground to secure them in hand cuffs. If we did, countless officer lives would be saved each year, but its not a protocol that would be accepted by the public. There would be countless lawsuits for excessive force and/or discrimination.   

[Sgt Z Squad]

Right. An officer that does a traffic stop is in EXTREME LIFE THREATENING danger each time he approaches a vehicle to do a stop...... BUT we do not allow officers to approach each car with gun drawn and force the driver to the ground to secure them in hand cuffs. If we did, countless officer lives would be saved each year, but its not a protocol that would be accepted by the public. There would be countless lawsuits for excessive force and/or discrimination.   

Sorry guys you are not answering the questions I left for you. Easy to quarterback from your computer stand. It's your call. What do you do?

[Hazcat]

Sorry guys you are not answering the questions I left for you. Easy to quarterback from your computer stand. It's your call. What do you do?

I did answer your question.  Approach him politely and ask for some ID.

[Sponsor]

[ericire12]

I did answer your question.  Approach him politely and ask for some ID.

+1

[Sgt Z Squad]

I did answer your question.  Approach him politely and ask for some ID.

Well partner, you get the Duke Award. Ya-a-ha! 

[wisconsin]

I will weight in on this because I lived in Milwaukee for 40 yrs so I understand/have seen more than I care to in a city of this size. I come from a LE family and as I have said in a past post. I worked for the MPD as a civilian for 11 yrs.(1980-91). I have been physically robbed twice once in Milwaukee and once in Tulsa Ok. and a third time in Tulsa at the gas station I worked at in 79 a BG stopped in his car at the door looked at me and then looked at my co-worker who just happen to walk to the counter and drove off. He went down the block and robbed the lounge (they were a dry county then) and as I heard he shot someone. That came from the LEO that interviewed me after it happened. Why all this history? Because if anyone should be jumpy it should be me. I have to agree with Sgt Z. Squad. I understand where he is coming from. Hazcat I also understand where your coming from. If they would pass the CCW in Wi. I would go for it. But as I see it open carry is not a smart idea. You put a bullseye on your back. Either from a seasoned BG or law enforcement. But all we have here is open carry. And the sheep here. Well it scares them. If you live here and you want to open carry, go for it. But there maybe a price to be payed. As far as the MPD chief and the County sheriff. Well as I said in my past post they are political. And we all know how that plays out. To give you an idea how a day here MIlwaukee goes for LEO's. My buddys son just got on the job. He has been on it for 2 yrs. He asked his son how many time he has drawn his weapon. His answer was. Every day. Understand that mind set and you will uderstand why you may not get a polite approach from LE. I think as time goes on more sheep maybe comfortable with open carry if they see it. This just my opinion. So fire up the flame throwers and have your say.

[twyacht]

I always heard an armed society, was a polite society.

Maybe this will help motivate Wisconsin to pass a CCW law that won't make the Milwaukee sheriff so asinine in his response.

Generally, BG's won;t open carry because they would draw attention to themselves, questioning by LEO's, show ID, which when called in, would reveal warrants, or ex-felon status.

BG's don;t want interaction with LEO's under ANY circumstances. They'll Mexican carry, and stay in the shadows.

The family man with his J-frame, going fishing with his son, is hardly a reason for a "Take Down".

[Rastus]

.......The family man with his J-frame, going fishing with his son, is hardly a reason for a "Take Down".

It's paranoia.

Ask the Gonzales, La. police chief what happens when an official publically says he will enforce an illegal arrest contrary to law because he wants to.....terms of the settlement not released...$$$$$$$$$

It's legal or not.  If PD's can make laws what's the point of having a government of checks and balances.  The PD is, mostly, a service to the administrative function of government to enforce laws established by the legislative arm and, as needed, interpreted by the courts.  When service organizations make and interpret laws, despite the good intentions, it follow that the Karl Marx School of Influencing People and Winning Friends is not far behind.