Wis. Chief Subpoenaed Over Radio System

MILWAUKEE WI-- A Milwaukee alderman has subpoenaed the chief of police. Their battle is over the city's police radio system.

The alderman is threatening imprisonment if the chief doesn't comply with his request.

Eight years and nearly $18 million in the making, the Milwaukee Police Department's OpenSky radio system went on line earlier this year. It's been plagued by complaints from the police union that it's unreliable.

Police Chief Ed Flynn is now targeted with this Common Council subpoena from Alderman Bob Donovan, demanding tens of thousands of records about the radios dating back to 2003.

The chief has already denied an open records request, saying it is overly broad and time-consuming.

"He can take this subpoena and fight it in court. I hope it doesn't get to that point, but by God, I'm going to look into this and get to the bottom of it once and for all, and he's not going get in my way," Donovan said.

The subpoena threatens possible imprisonment if it's not complied with. Donovan told 12 News he plans to work with the Mayor Tom Barrett to improve the radio system, but the mayor said this subpoena is a political stunt.

"He's not interested in working with me. He's interested in getting on TV. That's what this is all about, is how he can get some attention," Barrett said. "He hasn't reached out to this office. He's trying to grandstand, to have the police chief do what he wants him to do. And in a tough situation, I'd much rather have the police chief have my back than Bob Donovan."

"If anybody knows me, though, knows how serious I am about this issue, no it's not a stunt... I certainly didn't take this lightly, but when you back me into the corner, and I got no choice, I'm coming out swinging," Donovan said.

Donovan also wants the police department to allow the media to monitor the encrypted radio system, but the mayor and chief are opposed, saying it compromises officer safety.

Donovan's subpoena gives the chief six months to compile the records, which, based on his response, it appears the chief has no intention of doing.

Compromise safety? Like how often OpenSky goes down? Ya, that doesn't compromise officer safety at all.

What is it they need to hide from the media? I hate this encrypted radio transmission stuff, you know it's not about safety, but rather keeping the public from knowing what is going on.

Better yet why are they denying the press the "Freedom of the press?" Why is our governement attempting so hard to revoke our right's? That's a much broader question since we want to discuss broad. Here's where this gets very interesting. What is so secret that you need to hide your transmissions officers? Exactly what? We all on this forum know that the average user couldn't use today's scanners. They are far too sophisticated for the average Joe to even imagine programming with any satisfaction. Thus, they are attempting to do what, "Nothing but hide things." There is a reason that our founding forfathers gaves us the right of a, "Free Press." It was a check and balance to keep these nimrod's we call out leaders in check. See, because herein lies the problem, even our founding forefathers were smart enough to realize that someone with power especially that type and kind of power cannot just be trusted with it to not abuse it.
If i stand correct, is this not the same reason we left Mother England? Tyranny? Greed? Lastly, abuse of our general right's that every man should have? Sure sounds to a, "Relative here of Benjamin Franklin" that we are tromping down that beaten path once more. What is it going to take for the people to stand up and say enough? War? Death? Peril? A point of no return?


I commend this officer in his actions. Thankyou sir for your service to your country. Thankyou for standing up for what our US Army calls core Army Values. Courage, Integrity, Selfless Service.


RemoteInstall-

X2 to thanking that officer against the people he works for. Hats off to yah sir!

I hope that that ps chief likes bubba.


Remoteinstall

He better watch to not pick up the Butterfinger or the soap on the floor if it is dropped.