Milwaukee Can't Delay Police Chief's Return: Judge

MILWAUKEE, WI — A Milwaukee County judge on Thursday declined the city's request to delay the reinstatement of former police Chief Alfonso Morales.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Chris Foley ruled that the city couldn’t delay reinstating Morales or it would have to agree to a settlement.

City lawyer Nathaniel Cade sought a stay, but Foley said the city was not entitled to one, FOX6 reported. Cade, Foley, Morales and the former chief’s legal counsel met over Zoom.

The decision comes after almost a year of deliberation among Morales, the City of Milwaukee and the city Fire and Police Commission. The commission targeted Morales after he ordered police to use tear gas against protesters at a June 2020 march over George Floyd’s death. He was to be demoted and then retired under the rank of captain.

Foley ruled that the demotion was unfair and reversed the commission’s demotion of Morales in December.

"My fingers are on this scale," Foley said Thursday. "I’m forcing the city to obey the law or buy their way out of this because of what they did. Do I want to be in this position? Hell no. But I am in this position. They disregarded the law. The law accords him this remedy. And if they don’t afford him this remedy, then find a solution short of that that’s acceptable to both."

Cade told FOX6 that the city intends to appeal the denial of the stay.

Morales was set to return to his duties on July 3, per Foley’s order last month. The city is currently appealing the ruling.

For more on this story, go to FOX6.