Rogue thug cops organize - Milwaukee police looked into ‘Punishers’ group

[PeaceNikki]

Shortly after Frank Jude Jr. was beaten, a Milwaukee Police Department commander investigated a suspected rogue group of officers known as "the Punishers," who wore black gloves and caps embossed with skull emblems while on patrol, according to newly released documents.

Capt. James Galezewski examined what his report calls a "gang," first in 2005 and again in 2007. The police academy supervisor concluded both times the Punishers represented a danger that warranted further investigation and action by the department, according to documents newly unsealed in Jude's federal civil rights lawsuit against the city.

"This is a group of rogue officers within our agency who I would characterize as brutal and abusive," Galezewski wrote in a December 2007 report.

"At least some of the officers involved in the Jude case were associated with this group, although there is reason to believe the membership extended beyond those who were convicted in the case."

MUCH more at link: http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/112982324.html

Great... the thug cops are now organizing to further their thuggery. Cops are like everyone else, many are good people, but the problem is when cops are bad, the damage they can inflict is great. MPD has had major issues with abuse of authority, thuggery and racial profiling. The district in reference is a very poor and Milwaukee is very racially segregated.

If you are not familiar with the Frank Jude Jr case referenced - here's the skinny:

Frank Jude, Jr. is a Wisconsin man who was severely beaten by off-duty Milwaukee police officers in the early-morning hours of October 24, 2004. Following a state trial that ended with the jury acquitting the three police officers charged, a federal investigation led to plea agreements with three police officers and the indictment of five police officers, including the three who were acquitted in state court. Before trial, one of these five pled guilty. The federal jury acquitted one of the remaining police officers and the three police officers who were acquitted in state court were convicted in federal court.

The case was the biggest against the Milwaukee Police Department in 25 years.

http://www3.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=411006

[Tejas]

1. HOW can this happen in THIS country?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Jude,_Jr.

[PeaceNikki]

2. I don't know. It's a terrible story.

:(