MILWAUKEE — The image of George Floyd taking his last breath underneath the knee of a Minneapolis police officer has shaken the country to outrage.
"We don't train that," said Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales.
Morales quickly denounced the restraining tactic just as the heads of the International Association of Chiefs of Police did.
"Whatever was used, tactic, [if] you want to call it, is not a trained technique," said Morales.
Morales knows all too well the actions of one bad officer can tarnish a department and ruin community relations.
"Take me out of this uniform especially on a hot day like today. You are going to see me in my guayabera. You will see me in my sandals. You're going to see me in my shorts smoking a cigar - you would not know I was a cop. Wearing this uniform, now I am the enemy," said Morales.
Over the last two years, Chief Morales said he has worked to change the culture in the department and be more transparent.
"In 2019, I discharged 53 members from the Milwaukee Police Department," said Morales.
Recently suspended Milwaukee police officer Michael Mattioli was charged in the death of Joel Acevedo.
"I will tell you this. Both the incident in Minnesota and the case with Mattioli and Acevadoare tragic incidents. They set law enforcement and the Milwaukee police department back," said Morales.
Cries for justice in both cases have filled the streets day and night - mostly peaceful.
