Milwaukee Fires 9 Cops In Beating Case

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Milwaukee Fires 9 Cops In Beating Case
4 Officers Suspended, Demoted

POSTED: 7:07 pm EDT May 23, 2005
UPDATED: 5:06 pm EDT May 25, 2005

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee's police chief said a total of nine police officers have been fired for their part in the brutal beating of Frank Jude Jr.

Those fired include three officers criminally charged in the case -- Jon Bartlett, Daniel Masarik and Andrew Spengler -- according to a statement from Police Chief Nan Hegerty.

"Those who engaged in this type of conduct are not worthy of wearing the badge of a Milwaukee police officer," Hegerty said.

Jude said a group of men accused him of stealing a police badge and a wallet, then punched, kicked and choked him while using a racial slur.

A report from the department said off-duty police were allowed to talk to each other and roam around the scene, which violated crime scene protocol.

Three other officers have been suspended and one was demoted for their parts in the beating. Another officer, Jon Clausing, was already fired for failing to answer investigators' questions.

Every officer who was fired was found to have broken at least two rules. The first two officers to arrive on the scene that night have each been suspended for 76 days each, Milwaukee TV station WISN reported.

They have 10 days to appeal their firings to the Fire and Police Commission. The officers will continue to be paid while any appeals are pending.

Attorney Bridget Boyle-Saxton said her client, Jon Bartlett, will appeal his termination.

"This was a very difficult investigation, and it was difficult for me personally. I don't think any chief of police wants to have to dismiss and impose severe discipline on their officers, but it is what it is," Hegerty said.

WISN said its reporter tried to find officers at their homes Tuesday, but was not successful.

This is the largest number of officers fired by the Milwaukee Police Department at one time.

http://www.wral.com/news/4531034/detail.html

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