WAUWATOSA — The City of Wauwatosa held a “Race, Equity, and Police Issues” listening session at Hart Park for the community Tuesday.
It was organized after many members of the public demanded to be heard at past council and committee meetings, but meetings laws would not allow. The meeting was held at the football field so people could socially distance themselves from each other, some speakers attended the meeting via Zoom on the internet.
Suspended Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensa was the subject of many speakers. Mensa has been involved in the shooting deaths of 3 people in the last 5 years. Antonio Gonzales in 2015, Jay Anderson in 2016, and Alvin Cole in February of 2020.
Cole’s mother was one of the first to speak.
She said, “My baby was only 17 years old, about to go to college. His dream is gone all because this psycho cop, trigger happy cop shot his gun 19 times within 5 years.”
Jay Anderson’s parents were also at the meeting.
Jay Anderson Sr. said, “My son is laying dead 6 feet under the ground because of Joesph Mensa. If you put him back on the force, there’s going to be a 4th family and a 5th family. You all need to fire him ASAP."
Mensa is currently suspended from the department.
While many supported change in the department including firing Mensa and the Police Chief Barry Webber, others supported the officers.
“Your decision to vote against law and order and abandon Officer Mensa is shameful,” said one.
Another said, “What happens the next time officers are in a life or death situation and they hesitate because the common council does not have their back?”
The Common Council could not answer questions since they had to abide by Wisconsin open meetings law. A complete recording of the event that lasted more than 3 hours will be put on the city's website.
