MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Who is Michael Brunson, Milwaukee's new acting chief of police?

Ashley Luthern
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Michael Brunson

Assistant Chief Michael Brunson Sr. is the new acting chief of the Milwaukee Police Department.

The city's Fire and Police Commission made the decision Thursday after demoting Alfonso Morales from chief back to his previous rank of captain.

"I want to thank Alfonso Morales for his nearly 27 years of service and dedication to the City of Milwaukee," Brunson said in a news release issued late Thursday. "I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of this city and have great respect for all of the men and women of the Milwaukee Police Department."

Brunson, a 25-year department veteran, had been a finalist for the chief position with Morales in February 2018, after longtime Chief Edward Flynn announced his retirement. After winning the chief appointment, Morales promoted Brunson to assistant chief.

More recently, Brunson has had to face pointed questions from the Common Council and the commission about the department's use of tear gas and rubber bullets during civil unrest.

Brunson appeared on behalf of the department because he oversaw patrol operations in his role as assistant chief. At those meetings, he repeatedly said police did not use force against people engaged in peaceful protest.

In 2018, Brunson, then an inspector, cited improving police legitimacy as the top challenge facing the department.

"We cannot be successful as an agency if we don’t have that trust, confidence and legitimacy throughout the community," he said during a community forum with Morales

At the same event, Brunson was asked by an audience member to describe a time when he stood up to the "blue wall of silence" when it came to reporting misconduct.

Brunson described being a sergeant in District 7 and dealing with individuals who were "heavy-handed." One of those officers, he said, was later involved in the 2004 beating of Frank Jude at an off-duty party.

“I held the line as far as not putting up with that type of conduct," Brunson said, later adding: “I was ostracized as a supervisor because I took a stand and I said excessive force will not be tolerated as long as I'm working here."

Brunson grew up in Florida and went to college in Tallahassee, where he was recruited to join the Milwaukee Police Department in 1995. He has been here since and lives in the city with his wife and their two sons.

Contact Ashley Luthern at ashley.luthern@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @aluthern.