The Milwaukee police officer fired for fatally shooting Dontre Hamilton has lost another appeal to get his job back.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Judge Richard J. Sankovitz agreed with both the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission’s decision to uphold the firing of Christopher Manney.
Manney was fired for his actions leading up to Hamilton’s death, including what Police Chief Edward Flynn termed an “out-of-policy pat down.” Manney appealed the decision to the commission, but they upheld Flynn’s decision.
“He was fired because he violated Police Department rules, rules against the tactics he employed in approaching Mr. Hamilton that afternoon and about his decision to pat down Mr. Hamilton for weapons, and because these mistakes escalated a routine police encounter into a community catastrophe,” Sankovitz said.
In his decision, Sankovitz stated that Manney was not fired for the shooting itself, which the judge called “tragic” for both families involved.
Hamilton, 31, died on April 30, 2014 after being fatally wounded during his altercation with Manney. Hamilton suffered from schizophrenia, but his family said he was not dangerous.
In a statement released Wednesday, attorneys representing the Hamilton family praised the ruling. They also said they agreed with the judge’s assertion that Manney’s actions escalated the routine encounter.
Manney’s attorneys were not immediately available for comment Wednesday morning.
