“We respect the Fire and Police Commission’s decision,” Lamb said in an interview. “But in this particular case, we strongly disagree with the actions they’ve taken. We believe [that] 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.”
West Allis Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher also made a statement. His department echoes the belief that taking tear gas and pepper spray away from officers compromised their safety as well as the safety of the public.
“Our concern is that in the event protests turn non-peaceful, such a policy would remove tools from officers that may otherwise be legal and justifiable to utilize in specific situations,” said Fletcher.
Franklin Police Chief Rick Oliva sent a letter to Milwaukee Police Chief Morales last week. He claimed that his agency had decided not to send officers to help with convention security “due to recent decisions by Milwaukee elected and appointed officials.”
