The next leader for the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission has been appointed.
Leon Todd was appointed to the position on Tuesday.
Mayor Tom Barrett appointed Todd to serve in the role, succeeding Griselda Aldrete who left the position in late October.
“Leon Todd is an ideal candidate to lead the Fire and Police Commission because of his remarkable qualifications and his track record of dedicated service to all,” said Barrett. “I believe that he will bring the leadership necessary to oversee the Commission in an equitable and just manner.”
Todd served as an assistant state public defender for the Office of the State Public Defender Appellate Division since 2014. His appointment as Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission is subject to confirmation by the Common Council. A public meeting will be held so residents have the chance to hear directly from Todd and ask him questions.
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission has had a turbulent year of resignations and scrutiny. In July, former Executive Director Aldrete announced she was resigning from the position due to "political point-scoring and conflict." In August, the FPC voted to demote Police Chief Alfonso Morales. Morales ultimately resigned. Morales' attorneys are now asking for him to be reinstated, claiming he was not given due process by the FPC.
In early November, seven Common Council members asked that the process of finding a replacement for police chief be halted due to "the reported internal dysfunction affecting the Fire and Police Commission and the departures last week of the FPC’s executive director (Griselda Aldrete) and her chief of staff," according to a press release from the city of Milwaukee.
The FPC said it was continuing with the search, despite calls for halting it.
