BREAKING: Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission to discuss whether to authorize independent investigation into MPD regarding Haywood Sr. video leak, interview. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
February 5, 2020
The leak of a video featuring prominent Milwaukee developer Kalan Haywood Sr. has emerged as a hot topic in the community. “I didn’t leak any video and I’m looking into it,” Milwaukee Police Department Chief Alfonso Morales said during a community listening session last month at UMOS. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission will meet Thursday, Feb. 6 to discuss a resolution to authorize an independent investigation into the Milwaukee Police Department after the leak of a video that shows prominent Milwaukee developer Kalan Haywood Sr. being questioned by officers.
Also on the agenda is a resolution to authorize an independent investigation into whether the interview of Haywood Sr. at the Sojourner Family Peace Center was appropriate or a violation of department rules.
The video is part of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault and shows Haywood Sr., who was accompanied by Steven DeVougas, a lawyer and chairman of the commission, being questioned by police. Haywood denied the allegations and has not been charged with a crime. Haywood is the founder of the Haywood Group, a prominent real estate development, investment and consulting firm.
Some have called the leak of the video a political maneuver to push forward the confirmation of Police Chief Alfonso Morales in late December. Others have accused DeVougas of violating ethics guidelines in support of a client.
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The actions come after a request from Mayor Tom Barrett, Sen. Lena Taylor and others to open a formal investigation into the leak and to investigate other issues that will be discussed Thursday, including a resolution to create ethical rules and a code of conduct for Fire and Police commissioners.
Among the concerns listed in Barrett’s letter to the commission were whether the video was released according to department rules, and if not, who leaked the video and whether he or she will be disciplined. Barrett also questioned whether it was appropriate to conduct the video at Sojourner Family Peace Center and whether DeVougas should have been present during the interview.
On Jan. 30, the MPD responded to criticism by confirming an ongoing investigation into the leak and stated that the department is taking measures to ensure the unapproved release of confidential materials does not occur again. The Fire and Police Commission meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, Room 301-B.