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Cole Family Calls For Wauwatosa Police To Wear Body Cameras, Meets With Milwaukee County DA

Chuck Quirmbach
Attorney Kimberly Motley, representing the family of Alvin Cole, speaks Thursday outside the Milwaukee County Safety Building.

The family of a black teenager shot to death by Wauwatosa police outside Mayfair Mall in February wants all police officers in that Milwaukee suburb to wear body cameras.

Relatives of Alvin Cole met Thursday with Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm to get an update on the review of the Feb. 2 shooting of Cole, who was 17. The Milwaukee Police Department has been investigating claims by Wauwatosa police that Cole had a gun and fired first.

>>Families Of Men Shot By Wauwatosa Police Officer Rally And Call For Justice

An attorney for the Coles, Kimberly Motley, says she gave Chisholm more evidence about what happened. Motley declined to be specific about what she provided, but said she would continue to provide video recordings, witness statements and names of additional witnesses.

Credit Chuck Quirmbach
Taleavia Cole, sister of Alvin Cole, speaks at Thursday's news briefing.

In the meantime, Motley wants Wauwatosa police to wear body cameras.

"As we continue as citizens in the community, the Wauwatosa Police Department, like the Milwaukee Police Department, should wear body cameras. That should be a minimum requirement,” Motley said at a news briefing following the meeting with Chisholm.  

Motley says at the very least, Wauwatosa officer Joseph Mensah should be required to wear a camera. Police say Mensah fired the shot that killed Cole. In the last six years, Mensah has shot two other suspects to death, but self-defense was ruled in each case. Wauwatosa police say Mensah is on desk duty within the police station.

Credit Chuck Quirmbach
While waiting for the Cole family to come out of the meeting with Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, supporters used chalk to draw slogans outside the Milwaukee County Safety Building.

Motley says she wants Mensah to be dismissed. She also is requesting that Chisholm issue criminal charges against Mensah, and look into other cases involving the officer.

"I think everything Officer Mensah has done should be scrutinized. Every single thing. Every interaction with citizens. Every document he signed. Every document he reads while working. It is not OK that he's being paid," Motley said.

Wauwatosa police did not respond to WUWM’s request for comment. Motley says she doesn't know when the district attorney will decide on any charges.

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