The head of Milwaukee's Fire and Police Commission is resigning.
On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Common Council was expected to take up Griselda Aldrete’s continued appointment as executive director of the commission. Instead, she has withdrawn her name.
In her letter to the mayor, common council, and Fire and Police Commission members, Aldrete says that while removing her name from consideration is a difficult decision, it is also the right decision.
“Although my appointment received subcommittee approval last month, the climate at City Hall today sadly puts a premium on political point-scoring and conflict. This state of affairs presages a confirmation hearing based on spectacle, not merit. Furthermore, the looming threat of a politically-motivated hold of my appointment — as well as for other cabinet members — has already cast a shadow over the entire process,” Aldrete says.
Aldrete went on to say that the position of FPC executive director is vital to public safety in Milwaukee. She says that she could not in good conscience allow herself and the critical work that has been advanced at the FPC to become casualties of political brinkmanship.
When it comes to the work the FPC has done, Aldrete lists a number of things — from ensuring that the investigation of police officer Michael Mattioli has been conducted properly, fairly and thoroughly to creating a strong foundation for good governance and compliance with the landmark ACLU stop-and-frisk settlement agreement.
Even before Aldrete took the helm of the FPC it was mired in controversy. For years people have called for the FPC to be reformed and fully staffed.
