WAUWATOSA, Wis. -- Wauwatosa's mayor met with city officials Monday morning to discuss the safety of suspended police officer Joseph Mensah.
In a statement released Sunday night, Mayor Dennis McBride said he would meet with the police chief, the city administrator, the city attorney, and other city officials "to ensure that Officer Mensah is fully protected."
According to the Wauwatosa Police Department, Mensah was physically assaulted and shot at Saturday night as a group of 50 to 60 people surrounded the home where he was living and began to vandalize it. They said as Mensah tried to talk with the crowd, he was physically assaulted, and that someone in the group fired a shot at the backdoor.
Mayor McBride condemned the act as "criminal behavior."
"The City of Wauwatosa has always supported and protected the right to peaceful protest. Last night’s event was not a peaceful protest; it was criminal behavior. If the perpetrators of this criminal behavior are identified, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law," McBride said in the statement.
McBride reiterated that the only group that has the power to fire Mensah is the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission, and added "that Commission must be given a full opportunity to carry out its deliberations."
In closing, McBride called for civility in the community.
"During this difficult time, I ask all members of the community to reflect on their personal responsibility to engage in responsible and civil behavior. Now more than ever, it is essential that we all work together to heal a divided community."
Officer Mensah was suspended in July after being involved with three separate fatal shootings while on duty within five years. Two shootings were ruled justified, while the third is still under review.
