Milwaukee residents ask interim police chief candidates questions, decision a week away

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --Next week Milwaukee will have a new interim police chief and two finalists remain in the running.

Residents had the opportunity to submit questions to Milwaukee Police Department Captain Alfonso Morales and Inspector Michael Brunson at a town hall-style forum Thursday night.

Many residents wanted to know how the candidates will tackle crime.

 “The talent of the police chief is extremely important to identify crime, how to suppress it, how to prevent it,” Vincent Bobot said. “I mean it’s a major task.”

Other residents want the new interim police chief to help mend the relationship between the police and the community.

“I think it’s the treatment of people of color period,” Janette Herrera.” Not just African Americans, but the Latino community as well.”

Both Brunson and Morales addressed those concerns saying officers need to immerse themselves into the community to reduce crime and be more transparent.

“Community engagement and involvement I believe is the most important factor of policing because we are part of the community.” Brunson said.

“We have to listen to the community when we do police strategies that are proactive and ensure that we are not affecting them in a negative way and breaking our relationship.” Alfonso Morales said.

The decision is now in the hands of the Fire and Police Commission.  The new interim chief will be announced next Thursday and he will start the next day on Chief Ed Flynn’s last day.