Never before have I felt the "obligation" to oppose an appointment, but this nomination is wrong he! A Commissioner appoint ment demands someone who is on-bias, non-partison and open-minded. By way of social media, it is clear Ms. Avalos has an extreme bias against law enforcement. How can someone so bias be in a position to fairly critique policies and make fair and impartial judgement decisions when the FPC must rule on disciplinary issues. The mayor must do a better job of vetting his nominations. The FPC is not and should never be a platform for an outspoken critic of the Police.
How do you think the performance of the police and fire departments should be measured? How are you going to publicize these performance measures to the community?
Describe your philosophy regarding the proper roles of the police and fire departments in our community, and how you intend to use that philosophy to inform your work with the FPC.
Modern policing philosophy has focused primarily on crime prevention. Do you agree that police should focus primarily on crime prevention?
As an oversight body, it is implied that the members of the body observe the subjects of the oversight. How do you intend to perform observations? Will you yourself physically observe fire and police department activities?
The board of commissioners is tasked with establishing the rules for hiring and assessment. Will you become familiar with the currently utilized assessments to a degree that you can confidently state that the assessments align with the wishes of the board?
Part of The MPD mission statement pledges to reduce “disorder”. Are you comfortable with police being tasked with reducing disorder, and if so, where do you wish to see the limits to the use of police in that role?
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Amanda Avalos on the Board and staff at Leaders Igniting Transformation. She is a thoughtful and patient leader with an powerful vision for reshaping Milwaukee towards equity. She will be a strong addition to this commission and an effective advocate for change that we critically need right now.
I enthusiastically support the appointment of Amanda Avalos to the Milwaukee Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. I have known Amanda for over ten years since our undergraduate studies at Marquette University. Her passion and commitment to help her community are evident through the many roles she has taken on since graduation. Amanda's appointment will be an extension of her work towards a more equitable and fair process in the City of Milwaukee.
According to a June 2020 FPC investigation, then FPC Chair Steven DeVougas violated two provisions of the City’s Code of Ethics while representing a suspect in a sexual assault investigation. The investigation found that Mr. DeVougas was “consistently untruthful” regarding the matter, and refused to be interviewed by investigators, despite the fact that all MPD officers supervised by the FPC are legally required to cooperate with any investigation the FPC orders. Mr. DeVougas continues to serve on the FPC. The City Attorney’s Office stated that FPC rules do not address (a) commissioner conflicts of interest, or (b) standards of conduct for commissioners, so it was not able to issue judgement on his actions.
For Commissioners, entrusted with the critical duty to watch the watchmen, we must ensure that their commitment to truth is unequivocal, and their ethics beyond reproach - or the trust that is necessary between the FPC, MPD, and the community will be continually undermined.
Therefore, will you commit to (1) supporting the creation of Code of Conduct for Commissioners, and (2) holding fellow Commissioners accountable to following it, and the City’s Code of Ethics?
I unequivocally support Amanda Avalos’ nomination for the FPC. I have known Amanda for over 10 years and in all that time there has never been a single day she hasn’t put the needs of others before her own. Not only does she live by her convictions but she inspires others to do so as well. If the mission of the FPC is to better the city of Milwaukee and keep its citizens safe, there is no one better to serve on this council. She will fight for Milwaukee tirelessly, but does so with dignity and grace. Both her intentions and her impact are unmatched. She is a true asset and I firmly believe she will make the FPC better.
I wholeheartedly support Amanda Avalos' appointment to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. She is a strong, smart, compassionate leader and the City of Milwaukee is lucky to have her.
According to Wisconsin State Statute 62.50 (1m) Policy review. The board shall conduct at least once each year a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments of the city. The board may prescribe general policies and standards for the departments. The board may inspect any property of the departments, including but not limited to books and records, required for a review under this section.
The FPC Board has never conducted a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments, much less done it annually. Are you committed to leading the FPC to fulfill it’s statutorily mandated obligation to review the policies actually being implemented by the MPD and MFD regardless of whether or not they are codified in a Standard Operating Procedure or Standard Operating Guideline?
How will your previous experiences as a public defender lend itself into your role as a leader of Fire and Police commisions? And how would you intend to use this role to create positive change, specifically when it comes to policing oversite?
Never before have I felt the "obligation" to oppose an appointment, but this nomination is wrong he! A Commissioner appoint ment demands someone who is on-bias, non-partison and open-minded. By way of social media, it is clear Ms. Avalos has an extreme bias against law enforcement. How can someone so bias be in a position to fairly critique policies and make fair and impartial judgement decisions when the FPC must rule on disciplinary issues. The mayor must do a better job of vetting his nominations. The FPC is not and should never be a platform for an outspoken critic of the Police.
How do you think the performance of the police and fire departments should be measured? How are you going to publicize these performance measures to the community?
Describe your philosophy regarding the proper roles of the police and fire departments in our community, and how you intend to use that philosophy to inform your work with the FPC.
Modern policing philosophy has focused primarily on crime prevention. Do you agree that police should focus primarily on crime prevention?
As an oversight body, it is implied that the members of the body observe the subjects of the oversight. How do you intend to perform observations? Will you yourself physically observe fire and police department activities?
The board of commissioners is tasked with establishing the rules for hiring and assessment. Will you become familiar with the currently utilized assessments to a degree that you can confidently state that the assessments align with the wishes of the board?
Part of The MPD mission statement pledges to reduce “disorder”. Are you comfortable with police being tasked with reducing disorder, and if so, where do you wish to see the limits to the use of police in that role?
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Amanda Avalos on the Board and staff at Leaders Igniting Transformation. She is a thoughtful and patient leader with an powerful vision for reshaping Milwaukee towards equity. She will be a strong addition to this commission and an effective advocate for change that we critically need right now.
I enthusiastically support the appointment of Amanda Avalos to the Milwaukee Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. I have known Amanda for over ten years since our undergraduate studies at Marquette University. Her passion and commitment to help her community are evident through the many roles she has taken on since graduation. Amanda's appointment will be an extension of her work towards a more equitable and fair process in the City of Milwaukee.
According to a June 2020 FPC investigation, then FPC Chair Steven DeVougas violated two provisions of the City’s Code of Ethics while representing a suspect in a sexual assault investigation. The investigation found that Mr. DeVougas was “consistently untruthful” regarding the matter, and refused to be interviewed by investigators, despite the fact that all MPD officers supervised by the FPC are legally required to cooperate with any investigation the FPC orders. Mr. DeVougas continues to serve on the FPC. The City Attorney’s Office stated that FPC rules do not address (a) commissioner conflicts of interest, or (b) standards of conduct for commissioners, so it was not able to issue judgement on his actions.
For Commissioners, entrusted with the critical duty to watch the watchmen, we must ensure that their commitment to truth is unequivocal, and their ethics beyond reproach - or the trust that is necessary between the FPC, MPD, and the community will be continually undermined.
Therefore, will you commit to (1) supporting the creation of Code of Conduct for Commissioners, and (2) holding fellow Commissioners accountable to following it, and the City’s Code of Ethics?
I unequivocally support Amanda Avalos’ nomination for the FPC. I have known Amanda for over 10 years and in all that time there has never been a single day she hasn’t put the needs of others before her own. Not only does she live by her convictions but she inspires others to do so as well. If the mission of the FPC is to better the city of Milwaukee and keep its citizens safe, there is no one better to serve on this council. She will fight for Milwaukee tirelessly, but does so with dignity and grace. Both her intentions and her impact are unmatched. She is a true asset and I firmly believe she will make the FPC better.
I wholeheartedly support Amanda Avalos' appointment to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. She is a strong, smart, compassionate leader and the City of Milwaukee is lucky to have her.
I support Amanda Avalos' appointment
According to Wisconsin State Statute 62.50 (1m) Policy review. The board shall conduct at least once each year a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments of the city. The board may prescribe general policies and standards for the departments. The board may inspect any property of the departments, including but not limited to books and records, required for a review under this section.
The FPC Board has never conducted a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments, much less done it annually. Are you committed to leading the FPC to fulfill it’s statutorily mandated obligation to review the policies actually being implemented by the MPD and MFD regardless of whether or not they are codified in a Standard Operating Procedure or Standard Operating Guideline?
How will your previous experiences as a public defender lend itself into your role as a leader of Fire and Police commisions? And how would you intend to use this role to create positive change, specifically when it comes to policing oversite?