Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission moves into closed session over potential litigation

The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission voted Dec. 18 to convene a closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(g) to consult with a representative of the city attorney’s office about litigation involving the commission and the Milwaukee Police Department, Commissioner Horowitz said.

The motion was introduced by Commissioner Horowitz, who read the statutory grounds for a closed session: "to convene in closed session pursuant to section 19.85 sub 1 sub g of the Wisconsin statutes to confer with a representative of the city attorney's office concerning litigation in which the board or the Milwaukee Police Department are or are likely to become involved." A commissioner "moved" the motion and another "seconded" it; the transcript does not identify who made or seconded those actions.

Chair Commissioner Horowitz called for a voice vote. Two participants responded "Aye" in the public record; no opposing votes or abstentions were recorded in the transcript, and Horowitz stated the motion "carries." Horowitz then announced, "We're now in closed session," and the meeting moved into the private session described under the statute.

Also in the room at the executive meeting were FPC executive director Leon Todd and deputy director Jay Pusek, and Horowitz read a roll call naming commissioners Evans, Bong, Ramey, Schneider, Spence, Spencer and Horowitz as present; Commissioners World Patterson and Burgos were excused. The transcript records only the motion and outcome; no additional public deliberations or details about the litigation matter were made available before the recorded public portion ended.

Because the meeting moved to a statutorily authorized closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(g), details discussed with the city attorney will not be public unless released later by the commission or required by law.