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July 27, 2007
Jude Verdict Shows Need for Police Pay Reform
Convicted Officers STILL on Milwaukee Payroll
The beating of Frank Jude not only disgusted the entire City, it tarnished the reputation of every member of the Milwaukee Police Department, the vast majority of whom are excellent public servants who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve us all.
My hope is that yesterday's verdict finding the three police officers guilty of violating Frank Jude's civil rights will bring some peace and closure to the Jude family. It is my hope that yesterday's demonstration of justice can prompt a renewal of our sense of community and lift Milwaukee's collective soul so we all can move forward together.
This case also highlights a glaring problem with a current Wisconsin state law that forces Milwaukee taxpayers to keep paying officers fired from the Milwaukee Police Department, including those who are charged with and even convicted of a crime.
Police Chief Nan Hegerty should be applauded for handing down 13 disciplines, including nine dismissals, of officers involved in this case. She is to be commended for demanding a high standard of conduct from every member of the Milwaukee Police Department.
However, because of this completely unreasonable state law, Milwaukee taxpayers will continue to pay two of the officers found guilty yesterday even though they have been fired, charged with a crime and now convicted. They will continue to receive pay and benefits until they are sentenced in this matter. Another officer convicted yesterday was finally removed from police payroll when sentenced in a state case earlier this year, yet that too came months after his dismissal from the force.
Since being terminated by the Chief, these men have cost the City:
Jon Bartlett
Pay: $78,142.66. Pay including fringe benefits: $104,711.16
Daniel Masarik
Pay: $131,036.12. Pay including fringe benefits: $175,588.40
Andrew Spengler
Pay: $145,276.63. Pay including fringe benefits: $194,670.68
TOTAL PAID TO JUDE OFFICERS FOUND GUILTY SINCE THEY WERE FIRED:
Pay: $354,455.41. Pay including fringe benefits: $474,970.24
From 1990 through 2006, Milwaukee taxpayers shelled out nearly $4 million in pay and fringe benefits to ex-police officers who have been fired, including those charged with a crime. Benefits include everything from uniform allowances and weapon certification pay to sick leave, vacation, health care and pension contributions.
This is absurd. Milwaukee is the only city in the nation where taxpayers are forced to pay people who have been fired from their jobs and charged with crimes. Our community would be much better served if we could use these millions in taxpayer dollars to put more cops on the street, not pay ones who have been fired and charged with crimes.
I call upon the State Legislature to do right by our taxpayers and change this terrible law.
Sincerely,
Mayor, City of Milwaukee
Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor
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