Can you blame them?! You wouldn't want to guard a bunch of people who publicly disavow you and neither should they.
More than 100 police agencies are pulling out of security agreements to send personnel to next month's Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee over orders that would prevent officers from using certain crowd control measures during protests, Fox News has learned.
The police departments were part of a collective of outside agencies poised to send officers to secure the event, which will run from Aug. 17-20 and where Joe Biden is expected to be named the party's presidential nominee. The action comes after the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission directed Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales to change department policy to restrict the use of tear gas and pepper spray.
The civilian oversight commission issued the directive last week in response to the use of tear gas on crowds during protests following the death of George Floyd. The event, which will be held at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee, has been scaled down to a mostly virtual event.
Only around 300 people are expected to attend in person.
Speaking with WTMJ-TV, Morales did not say which agencies were pulling out or how officers were still expected. The original plan was to have at least 1,000 officers from outside agencies. Making use of the National Guard or federal assistance was being considered, Morales said.
In Wisconsin, Fond du Lac Police Chief William Lamb told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he expected more agencies from the state to withdraw from the program.
"We regret having to do that," Lamb said. "We respect the Fire and Police Commission's decision. But in this particular case, we strongly disagree with the actions they've taken.