Demoted Milwaukee police chief decides to retire

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee's former police chief has chosen to retire instead of staying with the department after his demotion to captain.

The city's Fire and Police Commission voted unanimously last week to demote Chief Alfonso Morales.

Commissioners criticized how Morales handled multiple incidents involving Black people, including the arrest of Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown. They were also critical of his decision to use tear gas and pepper spray against protesters who demonstrated after George Floyd died in Minneapolis.

Speaking on WTMJ-AM Wednesday afternoon, Morales said he chose to retire because if he returned to the department as a captain, it would be at a reduced salary and would negatively impact his pension payments.

“It would be foolish of me to stay and lose my pension or have that drop in pension,” Morales said. “The only choice was to leave.”

Morales also pushed back on commissioners' statements the day he was demoted in which they claimed he had failed to work with them and lied to them and the public.

“The facts will come out. I did everything transparently, I was honest, and I really cared about the men and women of the Milwaukee Police Department, both sworn and civilian,” Morales said.

His attorney, Franklyn Gimbel, says he and Morales are exploring a range of legal action, including filing a claim for damages.