27
July
2006
July
2006
Sheriff Clarke’s Election Year Arrests
How wonderful that Sheriff David Clarke Jr. has made two arrests in the last week! Are you as impressed as I am? Just one question: how many arrests has he made in the last four years? Hmmm, could this be election year grandstanding?
Something tells me yes, just like utilizing the mobile command post and mobile jail, coincidentally plastered with his name, while "occupying the lakefront". In the past, these have only been used for emergencies and major community events, like the Harley 100th or the Independence Day fireworks. And while we are on the subject, why are we "occupying the lakefront" anyway? Last I heard, most violent crime in Milwaukee was being committed in the inner city. Why are we not "occupying" the area he had Deputy Schuh walking a beat on last year? My answer? Probably because the majority of the voting public does not really use that area and thus it gives him no opportunity to get his name in front of potential voters. That and places like 5th & Center just make lousy backdrops when being interviewed on television.
Rumor has it that of those two arrests King David made, at least one was no-processed by the District Attorney. Oh well, at least he tried. Better than his old days at MPD where supposedly his credo was, "I don't drive, I don't write and I don't get involved." Good of him to get involved just a few weeks before the primary. I wonder if he wrote the reports for these arrests himself.
What other wonderful things can we expect from David Clarke before the September primary? Maybe another lawsuit for violating the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights? Or perhaps he can "occupy" Whitnall Park for a while–the botanical gardens do make for lovely televison.
Stay tuned! I cannot wait to see what his PR flack comes up with next.
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Citizen Watchdog writes occasionally for Watchdog Milwaukee without his/her full name as s/he has family working for the Sheriff's Department who would face repercussions under the Clarke administration. We allow this writer this freedom because we believe that anonymous whistleblowers should have a forum in which to speak without fear for either themselves or for their families.
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Sheriff Clarke has been involved since day one. I can remember at least one instance of the Sheriff arresting a knife-wielding idiot a few years back. How many arrests have previous Sheriff’s made? While they can, that’s not really their job. That’s why he has deputies. The Sheriff’s job in a large, urban county, is to be the administrator. You did at least give the Sheriff credit for trying, which is exactly what he did and more than what I see most city cops doing these days.
Given the liberal way the Milwaukee County D.A.’s fail to charge most things brought before them, it doesn’t surprise me that they “no processed” something the Sheriff brought them.
I for one appreciate the occupation of the lakefront. The Milwaukee lakefront is a wonderful treasure that should be enjoyed by all….without fear of violence or crime. Have you ever been at the lakefront on a hot summer day, when the ghetto moves down North Ave. and attempts to occupy the lakefront? Have you been subjected to the idiotic behvior, noise, and crime that comes with them? I have. The Sheriff’s occupation of the lakefront is warranted. At least it keeps the majority of the undesireables from ruining yet another part of this town.
Would you prefer the commnad post and mobile jail sit in a garage somewhere, collecting dust? The Sheriff is using those resources for the purpose they were intended.
Sheriff Clarke should be allowed to continue his service to the people of Milwaukee County. We’re better for having him.
Debate is a healthy part of the process. I look forward to more spirited encounters.
Yes, you are right, Clarke has been involved since day one. Involved in humiliating his employees, involved in nepotism, involved in self-aggrandizement. My posting was meant to question the timing of these acts. I find it ironic that he is choosing to make arrests and “occupy the lakefront” right before the election.
We are NOT better for having him. We are losing good deputies, losing respect as a county, and losing ground to violent crime.
Debate is healthy, and it is always interesting to see what people can come up with.
“Rumor has it that of those two arrests King David made, at least one was no-processed by the District Attorney.”
Rumor has it that the Milwaukee District Attorney has, on the other hand, occasionally prosecuted people.
From my correct reco-election the “Knife Wielding Idiot” Clarke arrest was also prior to an election. In all actuality the “Idiot” literally ran into Clarke who was exiting a park pavillion. He had his deputy entorage catch the “Idiot”. Subsequently, they found a knife. You won’t find that in the newspapers, I got it fom an “insider”
HOLY CRAP BATMAN! KING DAVE SCRAMBLES YET ANOTHER MIND! MY goodness people come out from under your beds. King Dave is ONLY a POLITICIAN and not that great of one at that. Did you back Dave when he CANCELLED the parks program? Did you support that great idea 4 years ago? Did you back clarke when he killed the witness protection program?, the welfare faud program? When HE bought a monstrosity of a “mobile jail” on your dime? Or when he had to pay to insure it out of your pocket change? Why ARE protecting Bradford beach when the so publicised HOMICIDE took place at SOUTH SHORE?? Seriously people, IF YOU HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT THE FACTS THEN DON’T VOTE !!!! OR maybe, just maybe, ASK SOMEONE THAT KNOWS WHAT REALLY is going on. KING DAVE WILL DESTROY MILWAUKEE COUNTY.
I think I’d define “involved” differently. I will stipulate that the Sheriff did not handle the Schuh problem correctly. However, I do not see the Sheriff humiliating his employees. Again, I see him holding people accountable for their actions, or inactions. He does not hide things from the public who elected him. The Sheriff’s Office does not have that blue wall of silence like MPD, and that is good for the people. Law enforcement officers should be held to a higher standard of morals and ethics, both on duty and off. They are people whom we entrust with life and death decisions, the ability to take a life or deprive someone of their freedom. Far too long the Sheriff’s Office was full of people who weren’t held accountable.
Touching briefly on the Schuh deal, while I disagree with the Sheriff’s handling of him, I also do not believe it was Deputy Schuh’s place to publicly criticize the Sheriff. I was raised to do as I’m told, unitl I am the boss. Unless I’m told to do something illegal, immoral or illicit, it’s my place as the employee to do as I’m told. When Schuh(or any one else) spends his own time and money to win a sheriff’s election, then he can call the shots.
I’m not sure what you refer to when you speak of nepotism. I wasn’t aware Sheriff Clarke had any relatives in the agency. If you refer to his placement of staff and/or promotions, he’s making calls from a business perspective….build a leadership team that supports your mission and vision. Seems simple enough. Unlike his predecessor who promoted and assigned people based on campaign contributions and political support, Sheriff Clarke has sound reasoning for the majority of his staffing decisions, minus a few, but nobody’s perfect. I strongly believe EVERY Sheriff before and after David Clarke will have undesireable choices in positions of authority. It’s kind of a spoil of the job, and I can live with that.
Are you suggesting that Deputy Schuh should have just shut his mouth and taken his punishment like a good little boy?
Schuh wasn’t sent out to do deputy work. He was sent out to do work that Milwaukee Police do. Clarke fundamentally doesn’t understand the separation of responsibilities between the Sheriff’s Department and the Milwaukee Police Department.
Chris,
You ever hear of cronyism? Look it up is Websters. I betcha you see the head of King Davey. You aren’t very well informed are you. Sad that Davey would choose that poor of a manager. I guess No Money= No Sense
To Chris: Where are you getting your information from? Take your Rose Colored Glasses Off. Humiliation of employees 1)Calling his Deputies “Headless Nails” 2)Telling the public they need protection from his deputies. 3)Publicly blames a deputy for getting shot, before any investigation. I can go on and on about his humiliating and overbearing tactics.
As far as deputies in the past not being held accountable; Ask his newly appointed sergeants if they were held accountable when they threatening other deputies if they did not change thier reports to cover up an excessive use of force. Ask them if they were held accountable for their numerous on duty accidents?
Nepotism?? Try the #2 man, Ask him if he was ever related to Clarke by a marriage. Ask the newer head of the medical section about being a relation to Clarke. With the latest campaign contributions report submitted, How many of the newly promoted and current sergeants and captains contributed to Clarke?
On the issue of “Occuping” our parks. At what cost to the taxpaying citizen, now and future? Do an open records request on the overtime expended and the arrests made. Almost everyone of the arrests are only getting county citations.
Do not believe the Press releases and what the Media is spewing at you. Clarke states he only has to answer to the citizen of Milwaukee County. Well now is the time to ask the hard questions. Get him off his scripted statements and find the real David A. Before he gets another 4 years to further destroy a Law Enforcement Agency. (yes, he is planning on laying off another 60 to 80 officers and not renewing for security of the Airport)
Sheriff Clarke was just ordered by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission to sign an order within 20 days to stop coercing and discriminating against Deputy Rollan Parrish and members of his Department.
Rollan Parrish was a Sergeant, who on his own time and own clothing, spoke at a public hearing. Parrish took issue against the Sheriff’s position on promotions. Inspector Kevin Carr, was at the hearing and its stipulated in the court record, that Parrish was doing a wonderful job.
Subsequently the next day, Parrish was demoted for speaking at the public hearing.
Parrish was awarded full backpay plus 12 percent interest. The WERC also ordered that Parrish be returned to the rank of Sergeant. So far, Sheriff Clarke has refused to comply with the order.
If I’m a betting man, Sheriff Clarke with thumb his nose at the courts and not comply with the order.
Here’s something for everyone to look into. I’m not sure of this one but if someone has the resources. When Sheriff Clarke was appointed and subsequently voted in as sheriff. He had his pay raised to somewhere arond $130,000 a year. This is when the County Executive was asking for give backs on pay.
It has come to my attention that Sheriff Clarke (Who did not give back any amount of pay) has transfered all of his city time to the county (Which is legal). Thus he may be eligible for any pension drop backs upon retiring. I reiterate may be eligible because I don’t know.
Anyhow if this is the case Clarke will make out on the pension scandal as most of the other past managers have ripped the county off. Also this is what he used against Peter Misko that defeated in the primary election of 2002.
Chris, Your comments come awfully close to parroting much of King Dave’s line of B.S. when he’s out selling himself to Nancy Northshore and Betty Bayside. Just curious, what is your title on Dave’s re-election commission and what does it pay? Oh yeah, and how do you sleep at night?
Another interesting tidbit would be to find out what the turnover has been in the department compared to the previous Sheriff.
The simple fact is that the Sheriff’s Department needs leadership, not some bogus “management theory du jour” that Clarke trots out after someone reads him a new book. The 22nd Irrefutable Law of Leadership is “You can’t learn leadership from a book.” True leaders are selfless and concerned about the mission and their men. They listen to their subordinates and value their opinions and input. They don’t view an opposing viewpoint as an assault on their authority. They’re not monomaniacal self-promoters who constantly seek an opportunity to become a bigger fish in a bigger pond. To sum it up, David Clarke couldn’t lead Rosie O’Donnell to a free buffet on “Make your own ice cream sundae” night
People, what are we doing? This guy is nothing but a pig headed, self centered politician that cares nothing about the Deputies that run the day to day operation of the department. All King David is worried about that he gets his fat pay check and that he can play with the Countys money and rule is kingdom. This guy is the very last thing the County needs. He is no COP. This guy is useless as a COP. And for Chris, pull your head out of KING DAVIDS ASS. Look and see what is going on around you. The people of Milwaukee County cant stand this guy. 99% OF HIS OWN STAFF HATE HATE HATE HATE THIS SO CALLED SHERIFF.You as people have to do the right thing and VOTE VOTE VOTE. Thats the only way he will leave. We have no one else to blame but yourselfs if this does not happen. Tell every one to vote VINCE for sheriff. People I cant do this by myself. I, (we) need yor help to remove KING DAVID from office.
Tell me, is there anything at all David A Clarke can do right? Appears to me the pay ain’t half bad for the output of work. If the work environment is so bad, try and find another department that would appreciate the many talents of the complaners.
There is a good article about Clarke and the legal cases against him, in this weeks Shepherd Express (Aug 3-9, 2006).
I can’t wait to vote for Bobot.
Appleton,
Are you aware that the Milwaukee County deputies are the lowest paid law enforcement officers in the county? Further, are you aware that to leave a government position to which you have dedicated years of your life also means all your seniority and experience go right out the window? It would be great if law enforcement was like the civilian world, in which your resume and interview helps to get you a better position at a different company. But the fact is, officers of the law are sometimes hostages to the department for which they work, like it or not. The pay isn’t great, neither are the benefits, but when you put your life on the line on a daily basis, you deserve to have a leader who can actually LEAD.
If you want to know what Sheriff Clarke can do right, ask the Republicans. They ought to know. Or perhaps Chris, who appears to know a lot about what he does–from his campaign perspective. If you want to know what he aactually DOES, talk to a member of his department, oh, excuse me, OFFICE. Whatever.
This comment is directed to M.Toole and his referral to “cronyism” of Sheriff Clarke. Were you a deputy under the regime of Sheriff Klamm? If not, you might not have heard of “Klamm’s Klowns.” Klamm had a farm or whatever up north and he always had a group of his “klowns” that were ready, willing and able to go up to his place and do whatever work he deemed necessary–needless to say, this was all done without any pay. And, food was taken from the Sheriff’s kitchen to feed these stupid deputies. The “perks” came in whatever job you wanted, it was yours. Didn’t have to show up for roll call, particularly the day after their night of bowling, given a nice new squad car to drive back and forth to work. So, please don’t tell me about “cronyism”. How do I know all this–I was a deputy sheriff during this time.
To Sheriff Dept. Watchdog:
What is the annual salary of a deputy sheriff? We won’t even talk about the insurance benefits, generous sick benefits, etc., etc. When I was a deputy, we had quite a few guys that moved over from the Milw. Police Dept., so one can move from one law enforcement agency to another. What are you saying in that a deputy could never compete in the civilian world in which one’s resume and interview could a person a better position. Are you saying that deputy sheriffs have such minimal qualifications that the only thing they can do is to be a deputy? Again I ask you, if the salary and benefits are so awful, why did they become a deputy in the first place? With all their magnificent qualities one would assume the world is just waiting for them and you. The whining on the part of the current Sheriff’s Dept. is just astounding.
The deputies used to start at $26K per year. When I was on the board I fought for the starting pay to be closer to $30K.
Certainly you’re not suggesting that is a lucrative amount?
appleton14 — I have to ask what years did you work for the county because you obviously now live under a rock and a mighty big one. If you go to MPD from the Sheriff’s Department you lose all of your seniority and the only thing you get to take with you are the years for pension purposes only. And you can only do that from County to City of Milwaukee or City to County only once. You can’t do this with any other agency or department. Just like King Clarke did. Now he gets a pension from the County and guess what he also gets a pension lump sum check. The very same thing he held over his opponents head, 4 years ago.
My boy Appleton!
now the real story is out. You are a whining, disgruntled old fart that envied “Klamms Klowns”. How can you sit back and support THE EXACT SAME PERSON AS KLAMM? What is the difference? RACE! Dave is a Black Klamm. Kinda funny how a bivalve gets to ruin what was once one of the proudest departments in the state. Appleton, I hope you have a great retirement. Pucker up buttercup. Next time you give me a cart at Wal-mart you better smile too. Boo-Boo!