Police Union Billboard Supporting Office Sparks Outrage In Kenosha

Nerves are frayed in many communities across the country that have experienced recent officer-involved shootings, and Kenosha is no exception.

The March shooting death of 26-year-old Aaron Siler by Officer Pablo Torres is still under investigation. This week, the police union in Kenosha put up a billboard thanking the community for its support. It includes a photo of a smiling Torres standing next to his police dog.

The Siler family is outraged. Spokeswoman Kathy Willie said that the billboard is hurtful and implies that the investigation into the shooting is complete and that Torres should be commended.

“That was the first thing that popped in my mind. That’s how I perceived it, like a slap in the face,” Willie said.

That reaction took Kenosha Professional Police Association President Pete Deates by surprise.

“We meant nothing negative by this, nothing misleading. It was strictly is what it says: Thank you for your support,” Deates said.

The family wants the billboard to come down, but union officials are showing no signs of making such a move.