At least 100 police agencies are pulling out of agreements to send personnel to next month’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Milwaukee, partly over concerns that officers will be unable to use tear gas to control crowds under a recent directive.
The law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin and across the country who are set to withdraw from the security agreements had previously said they will send officers to bolster security at the DNC, which will run from Aug. 17-20 at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee.
The move follows an order from the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission last week, which directed Chief Alfonso Morales to revise the police department procedures—including prohibiting the use of tear gas and pepper spray. The order threatens Morales’s termination if he fails to comply “fully and promptly.”
The order came amid intense scrutiny of police tactics at protests and riots in Portland, Oregon, and elsewhere in recent weeks, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in late May.
Morales announced the news of the agencies’ withdrawal in an interview with WTMJ-TV, citing concerns over the order prohibiting the police use of pepper spray and tear gas at demonstrations. He didn’t elaborate on which law enforcement agencies plan to pull out.
The convention has been scaled down to a mostly virtual event due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, with about 300 people expected to attend in person. Most of the speeches will be delivered online from other locations, though former Vice President Joe Biden has said he will be in Milwaukee to accept the nomination. Despite the event’s smaller scale, police are preparing for potentially large protests in and around the venue.
The Epoch Times reached out to the Milwaukee police oversight commission, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the convention for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
Fond du Lac Police Chief William Lamb, who chairs the Wisconsin Police Executive Group, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he expects other Wisconsin police agencies to withdraw from the security agreements.
“We respect the Fire and Police Commission’s decision. But in this particular case, we strongly disagree with the actions they’ve taken,” Lamb said.
He said he was concerned that the safety of the public and police officers could be compromised.
“We believe in removing those tools, the use of chemical irritants or pepper spray, from the available resources that the law enforcement officers would have at their disposal if protests become non-peaceful would severely compromise the safety of the public and also the safety of the law enforcement officers who would be assigned to protect the DNC,” he added.
Other police departments, such as the Madison Police Department which originally committed to providing 100 officers to Milwaukee, decided to pull out over CCP virus concerns.
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the department notified Milwaukee early this month that “an accelerating COVID-19 pandemic coupled with ongoing protests in Madison” had strained its resources, making it impossible to commit resources to the convention.
What in the world do you mean by “CCP Virus concerns”? I’ve never heard anyone else refer to such a thing.
I support our law enforcement agencies and officers and don’t blame them for this decision. It is the only logical choice. Let the dems defend themselves. They are responsible for this hornet’s nest we are in. As others have already said, you reap what you sow in life. Time for a little pay-back.
I would like to see all the cops line up arm and arm and twirk to : Dropped a bomb on me.
LOL. Most Excellent.
They should ask the Marxist organization – BLM – to protect them
With the BLM and Democrats ranting for defunding the police I would not send any law enforcement officers to provide security to any Democratic party function. You reap what you sow..
They are very reasonable elections as well as reasonable protests to not only the equipment limitation but also defunding police programs. I’m sure the demos wouldn’t even consider hiring fully armed bodyguards to protect them. Sleep well demos.
Since there are only peaceful protestors there is really no need for any police at the convention , it will certainly be more peaceful than Seattle or Atlanta . I’m sure the delegates could protect themselves
I don’t blame the police one iota. The Dumbocrats have not only favored defunding and dismantling police forces, but they have said it’s perfectly alright for protesters to attack officers. Since the Dumbocrats think so little of police, let them defend themselves.
Go Blue. Dems reaped what they have sewn.
Let the Dumbocrat pols take their security forces away from their well furnished abodes
and use those people for their security at the convention.
I agree that the Democrats have made their own bed and should be forced to lie in it. The police need to protect themselves from harm and from prosecution for doing their jobs.
Well if course “They” want protection!
Just another reminder that it’s the Dems that support the Marxists/anarchists that want to turn this country upside down. I hope all Conservatives, Independents and any clear-thinking liberals (I’m sure there are still some of them out there who are embarrassed by what they’re seeing from their “party”) will show up in November and vote to keep the law and order President in charge, Because regardless of the fact that The President is sometimes rough around the edges, his policy decisions have been spot-on and we need him leading the country now more than ever. I don’t even want to think about what the alternative looks like.
Yes, yes, yes!! Finally, the police are pushing back against the Leftists who want to destroy them. Go ahead with your plans to abolish the police dept., you morons. I hope BLM/Antifa burn you & your shxxhole city to the ground! We won’t miss you.
After the thuggish members of the Antifa, BLM, and other Communist/Socialist sympathizers have burned, looted, and destroyed the property of innocent business owners in Milwaukee, will Pelosi, Shumer, Nadler, and AOC be there to award the criminal rioters well-deserved participation trophies? Thank you police officers of Wisconsin for standing up to the lunatics in the Democratic Party by refusing to protect those who despise you.
I just hope any private security they hire to replace the reduced police presence has to follow the same rules of no chemical crowd deterrents. The Democrats have wanted to disarm the citizens for years, and now the are going after the police forces ability to effectively defend the law abiding public. The writing is on the wall for promoting a chaotic society of lawlessness.
Looks like some chickens are coming home to roost. About time.
Nobody will be there anyway. The democrat party is dead.
Good for them! If Dems want to defund the police, how can they even ask for police protection with a straight face? Let them deal with their own safety like the rest of us.
I’m sure they’ll be aghast that their double standard doesn’t work for them this time. Our men and women in blue MUST be allowed to do their jobs while not being abandoned by the people they protect and risk their lives for every day!
CHECKMATE!! Now, whatcha gonna do, Dems??
I believe that all the “celebrity VIPs” screaming to dismantle the Bill Of Rights ,especially the 2nd Amendment, would be pleased to lend out all of their armed bodyguards to police the convention.
Let the social workers do their thing.
Joe “plugs” Biden won’t know if the cops are there or not. He never knows where he is
What goes around comes around. You want to defund the police, then you need to get your own protection. I hope the rioters give you a real taste of what your actions mean!!
Sure, just let all the rioters and thugs take over every facet of government and the streets. We wont need police protection after BLM takes over the country any way.
But the Democrats have let it be known that they have no need for police, so there is no porblem!
Are the Police so Stupid to use the Pepper Spray on Peaceful Protesters? They USE because the PROTESTERS are UNRULY and Creating MAYHEM! ??????? Leaders!
They say “Pay backs are hard” .. love it when the right-side give response to the left-side. Love to see more of us who love America for what has been, what she is today, be what she will be tomorrow to get in the fight – A Democracy! A people who loves GOD and the freedoms we have. Respect for all people with their given rights. The rights of the Unborn Citizens to live, to give and have their dreams! America a Nation, a Country of Law and Order. The protection from Government controls. Remembering what our National Flag represents because of the men and women who gave up their dreams and lives for GOD and Country.
I LOVE YOU AMERICA!
Become a Counter-Revolutionary! Demand Authority ENFORCE OUR LAWS!! Stand-up for America!! Remove Every Democrat!!!!!
Union Members – Take back your Unions!!! Stand-up for America!! Remove Every Democrat!!!!!
Democrat Party = Communist/One World Party! Unions invented by One World Humanists to replace Christian Guilds! Money to Unions = Money to Democrats! Union Management is Anti-American pro One World!! Union Members – Take back your Unions!!! Stand-up for America!! Remove Every Democrat!!!!!
By the Marx/Engels Playbook, the United States is in the middle of a Communist Revolution!! WAKE-UP!! Stand-up for America!! Remove Every Democrat!!!!!
The police should use the same tactics they used against Noriega in panama. play the baby elephant walk, night and day.
The democRATs say they want to defund the police, so evidently they do not need police.
GREAT!!! You all want to to defend the police? Take care of your own security. Cops owe you NOTHING
If you look up “progressive/socialist caucuses “ in Congress you may be surprised at the results. I have one question for all the communists, I mean progressives. Which of the following do want to lead you: Mao Zedong, Stalin, Lenin, Castro, etc. ? And don’t think this is not where you are heading.
The leaders of the DIMMwit party don’t like police, border agents, or any kind of control. Of course, their ultimate objection is to the Father of Peace — God Himself!!
Yep. Go for it blue y’all are correct….
They won’t need police. They are buddies with the antifa. Marxists And why should anyone. Vote them in office?! But I suppose all the young college brainwashed and antifa people And frauds. will still get their votes
We must pray that God watches over us on Election Day for He is our only hope!
Will antifa be out to keep us from voting? Bring your own pepper spray and wasp spray. Wasp spray. Goes 20 ft. And blinds for 20 minutes!
LOL!! I LOVE it ! Let the Dirty Dems hire their OWN security.
Why are they expecting riots? The rioters are lefties. They love and are the democrats.
Why would the Dems want or need police protection. They’ve got Antifa and BLM who will look out for them since Biden, Pelosi, et al want to defund the police. They’ll be all right, won’t they?!
No one volunteers to guard and/or protect their enemies. ‘Bout time the cops stood up for themselves.
Why are the Dems holding a convention when they complained about President Trump and the Republicans having a convention? Think hypocrisy?
So dense oc RATS,what goes around comes around.You are getting the NO protection that you deserve,SO,suck it up.