MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales has fired one of the officers involved the controversial arrest and tasing of Milwaukee Bucks Sterling Brown.
A police source tells TODAY’S TMJ4 that officer Erik Andrade was let go.
BREAKING:An @MilwaukeePolice officer involved in the arrest of Buck’s player @thatnegus_sb has been FIRED. Chief Morales confirming to @tmj4 Anchor Shannon Sims. More reaction on this developing story at 6 O’clock on Today’s TMJ4 pic.twitter.com/Cylcn3ACGf
— Shannon Sims (@ssimsworldwide) September 13, 2018
Chief Alfonso Morales just confirmed with TODAY’S TMJ4 anchor Shannon Simms that he did send a letter to the Fire and Police Commission
The following statement was released by the police department following the announcement:
Police Officer Eric Andrade has been terminated by the Milwaukee Police Department as a result of images and statements posted to a social media account. According to our Standard Operating Procedure, members are free to express themselves as private citizens on social media to the degree that their speech is not disruptive to the mission of the Department. However, speech, on or off duty, pursuant to members’ official duties and professional responsibilities is not protected.
I find that Officer Andrade’s postings are in direct violation of such policy. They have a racist connotation and are derogatory, mocking an individual who was recently the subject of officers’ use of force. Such comments also directly affect his credibility and ability to testify in future hearings as a member of this Department. I have not, and will not, tolerate such behavior.
It’s been three months since a Facebook post surfaced from Officer Andrade's Facebook page which allegedly stated, "Nice meeting Sterling Brown of the Milwaukee Bucks at work this morning! Lol #FearTheDeer.” The post was made allegedly made after Brown’s arrest.
Brown was arrested after parking his vehicle in two handicap parking spaces outside of a Walgreens back in January. Body camera video showed officers tackling him to the ground and tasing him.
Brown was never charged in connection with the incident.
