Fox News learned that more than 100 law enforcement agencies are pulling out of security deals to send personnel to next month’s Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee on orders that would prevent officers from using certain crowd control measures during the protests.
The police departments were part of a collective of external agencies prepared to send officers to ensure the event, which will take place from August 17 to 20 and where Joe Biden is expected to be named party presidential candidate. The action comes after the Milwaukee Police and Fire Commission ordered Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales to change the department’s policy to restrict the use of tear gas and pepper spray.
The civilian oversight commission issued the directive last week in response to the use of tear gas in crowds during protests following the death of George Floyd. The event, which will take place at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee, has been reduced to a primarily virtual event.
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Only about 300 people are expected to attend in person.
Speaking to WTMJ-TV, Morales did not say which agencies were withdrawing or how officers were expected. The original plan was to have at least 1,000 officers from outside agencies. It was considering making use of the National Guard or federal assistance, Morales said.
In Wisconsin, Fond du Lac Police Chief William Lamb told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he expected more state agencies to withdraw from the program.
“We are sorry to have to do that,” Lamb said. “We respect the decision of the Fire and Police Commission. But in this particular case, we totally disagree with the actions they have taken.”
“We believe in removing these tools, the use of chemical irritants or pepper spray, from the available resources that law enforcement officers would have at their disposal if the protests became peaceful would severely compromise the safety of the public and also the safety of law enforcement officers who would be assigned to protect the DNC, “he added.
The use of tear gas has come under scrutiny by progressive lawmakers and activists who claim that law enforcement personnel across the county have indiscriminately deployed the tool on protesters.
A protester wears a gas mask when federal officials deploy tear gas during a Black Lives Matter protest at the United States Palace of Justice Mark O. Hatfield on Monday in Portland, Oregon. Several law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin have refused to send officers to next month’s Democratic National Convention. in response to local orders that prevent the use of tear gas to control crowds. (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)
In Portland, Oregon, federal agents have used tear gas to disperse crowds amid nightly downtown protests.
West Allis deputy director Robert Fletcher said the commission’s decision raised security concerns for his department.
“Our concern is that, should the protests become non-peaceful, such a policy would eliminate the tools of officers that might otherwise be legal and justifiable to use in specific situations,” the Fletchertld newspaper said in an email.
Franklin Police Chief Rick Oliva raised similar concerns in a letter to Morales.
In this June 23, 2020 file photo, the Wisconsin “Forward” statue stands across the street from Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin. Crowds outside the Wisconsin State Capitol downed two statues and attacked a state senator amid protests following the arrest of a black man who yelled at restaurant patrons through a megaphone while carrying a baseball bat. (Emily Hamer / Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File)
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“I cannot send personnel if they are not adequately equipped or will not be allowed to participate in appropriate actions that guarantee their safety,” he wrote.
The Waukesha Police Chief said he was consulting with the city attorney’s office on how to withdraw from the deal, which he had promised about two dozen Waukesha officers.
The Milwaukee Police Department, the police and fire commission and convention officials did not immediately respond to Fox News’ requests for comment.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
