More than 100 police agencies withdraw from security contracts of the Democratic National Convention

More than 100 police agencies in Wisconsin withdrew from their security contracts with the Democratic National Convention before their predominantly virtual convention, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Monday.

Some of the agencies said their decision to withdraw from the agreement to send staff to the convention comes after the The Milwaukee Police Chief decided to stop using tear gas and pepper spray during the protests.

His decision to withdraw from contracts questioned the convention’s goal of having 1,000 officers at the event, wto be held from August 17 to 20where the former vice president Joe BidenJoe BidenBiden comes to Trump’s “law and order” message: he’s trying to “scare the devil” out of people. Biden Says Showcasing Talking Points About Kamala Harris Opportunity Cost of Congressional “Big Tech” Antitrust Obsession MORE will formally accept the party’s nomination. Only about 300 people are expected to attend the event in person.

“MPD’s top priority remains to ensure that next month’s DNC is a safe event for all visitors and participants,” the Milwaukee Police Department said in the statement.

The Milwaukee Police and Fire Commission last week ordered Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales to change the department’s policy to restrict the use of tear gas and pepper spray, which has been used by police in protesting protests. against racial inequality in recent months.

“We are sorry to have to do that,” William Lamb, a local police chief who chairs the Wisconsin Police Executive Group (WPEG), told the Journal Sentinel.

Lamb said the WPEG “strongly disagrees” with the decision, adding that they believe that by “removing those 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 are not “peaceful, it would severely compromise the safety of the public and also the safety of law enforcement officers who would be assigned to protect the DNC.”

Convention officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.