MPD Police Chief Edward Flynn appeared on Charlie Sykes (of course) to counter the Journal-Sentinel article showing how three different law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin (Dane County Sheriff, Milwaukee County Sheriff and the State Patrol) either consciously or subconsciously, used racial profiling when performing traffic stops. Flynn seems to be defending the practice when he argues
“I kind of think it’s important that a black male in Milwaukee is 14 times as likely to be the victim of a murder than anybody else. We can talk all we want about these arcane formulas the Journal Sentinel comes up to shoehorn their previous position against the Milwaukee Police Department and justify it. The bottom line is, we’re the institution being asked by the communities afflicted with high crime rates to do something about it.“
Rather than address the issue head-on that his officers might be using race illegally to profile suspects, he doubles-down on the practice arguing that the African American community in Milwaukee wants to be profiled. They want to be pulled over and searched more than other groups. They’re asking for it.
I’m appalled.
Never mind that, based on data from the Milwaukee Sheriff’s office, profiling may result in the apprehension of fewer criminals, Chief Flynn instead erects a Blue Wall and denies the practice is even a problem.
Nothing to see here, citizens. Move along.
The point here is that racial profiling by law enforcement is wrong and illegal under any circumstances. To hear the Chief of Police of a major metropolitan force justify the practice undermines any kind of community rapport that’s been built up between the African American community and the MPD.
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