DOJ Officials To Hear Youths’ Complaints About Milwaukee Police

U.S. Department of Justice staff will attend a youth listening session in Milwaukee on Friday as part of their review of Milwaukee Police Department policies.

Police Chief Ed Flynn requested the DOJ review in November. In January, 700 people turned out for a city-wide listening session on police practices.

Nate Hamilton of the Coalition for Justice said Friday’s session will focus exclusively on youth.

“We feel like the youth plays a big significant role in police misconduct that goes unanswered,” he said. “So we want to make sure that the youth actually has the ability to articulate what they’re feeling.”

Hamilton’s brother Dontre was shot and killed by police in 2014. He said his group is continuing to call for the DOJ to launch a more in-depth pattern and practice probe of the police department’s use of force policies.

Federal officials will use testimony from the Friday listening session in writing up recommendations for changes in policies and training for Milwaukee police.

Hamilton said the Coalition for Justice is calling on Chief Ed Flynn to take a more active role in addressing youth complaints about police misconduct.

“We’re looking at Chief Flynn to be a leader, to come out into the community and to not be so arrogant, but to be more humble and approach the black youth and say, ‘My job is to keep you protected, and this is how I’m going to keep you protected,’” said Hamilton.

Sharlen Moore of Urban Underground, a youth leadership organization, said it’s hard to teach teens how to interact with police if they feel they’re not being treated fairly.

“We can’t train our young people to do the right things if law enforcement isn’t doing their part — if they’re not taught how to treat our young people with dignity,” she said.

DOJ staff from Community Oriented Policing Services will use testimony from the listening session in making recommendations for possible policy changes. The assessment process should wrap up by the end of the year. Then, over the next 18 months, federal officials will provide assistance in implementing the changes.