Dontre Hamilton
A three-member panel has upheld the firing of former Milwaukee Police officer Christopher Manney, who was dismissed from the force for violating police rules before a fatal shooting that claimed the life of Dontre Hamilton.
The city’s police commission unanimously ruled Monday night that Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn was justified to terminate the white Manney last fall, for approaching the black Hamilton from behind while he was resting on the ground last April at Milwaukee’s downtown Red Arrow Park. That encounter resulted in a fight during the officer’s pat-down, in which Hamilton reportedly hit Manney with the officer’s baton. Manney then shot and killed Hamilton.
Manney appealed his firing, even though he filed for duty-disability retirement two days before he was let go.
The decision came at the end of a hearing that ran for five days. Members of Hamilton’s family were there for the ruling and thanked the community for standing with them through their efforts to get the truth about his death. Family members also said that it should serve as a reminder to police that they will be held accountable for their actions.