Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said in a letter to the department: "This was a difficult decision for me, but when it's time, it's time." The Seattle mayor and its outgoing police chief pointed the finger directly at the City Council for the latter’s unexpected departure amid a national reckoning about the role of policing.Carmen Best, the first Black woman to lead the Seattle Police Department, announced her retirement Tuesday after the City Council voted to cut her salary and that of her command staff while trimming the department’s budget by close to $4 million and reducing the force by as many as 100 officers.Best and the SPD were criticized for their handling of protests that followed George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police, specifically the use of tear gas and other less-than-lethal crowd-control methods.With activists demanding more accountability and a new approach to law enforcement across the country, protesters recently marched “This is not about the money, and it certainly isn’t about the demonstrators,'' said Best, whose retirement will be effective Sept. 2. They were also critical of his decision to use tear gas and pepper spray against protesters who demonstrated after Floyd’s death May 25 in Minneapolis.Speaking Wednesday on WTMJ-AM, Morales said he decided to retire because if he returned to the department as a captain it would be at a reduced salary and would negatively impact his pension payments.“It would be foolish of me to stay and lose my pension or have that drop in pension,” Morales said. "He also drew criticism for conditions in his jails. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — The white rings that wrap around two massive lakes in the U.S. West are a stark reminder of how water levels are dropping and a warning that the 40 million people who rely on the Colorado River face a much drier future.Amid prolonged drought and climate change in a region that's only getting thirstier, when that reckoning will arrive — and how much time remains to prepare for it — is still a guess.APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California woman has pleaded not guilty to smothering her infant daughter in March and causing the death of her other baby girl three years ago.Kristin Ann Brandon, 28, of Apple Valley, entered pleas on Aug. 6 to murder in the March death and two charges of assault on a child causing death involving both babies, the Daily Press of Victorville reported Thursday. MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee’s former police chief, who was demoted to captain in part for using tear gas against protesters demonstrating over George Floyd’s death, has chosen to retire instea… I did everything transparently, I was honest, and I really cared about the men and women of the Milwaukee Police Department, both sworn and civilian,” Morales said.His attorney, Franklyn Gimbel, said he and Morales are exploring a range of legal action, including filing a claim for damages.Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump talks with Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr. at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 16, 2016.
Clarke denied the report in which it was claimed that he failed to properly attribute his sources at least 47 times in his 2013 thesis, titled "Making U.S. security and privacy rights compatible. Last month, the mayor sketched out a plan to reduce the police budget by about $75 million next year by transferring parking enforcement officers, the 911 call center and other areas out of the department.“It is unfortunate Council has refused to engage in a collaborative process to work with the mayor, Chief Best, and community members to develop a budget and policies that respond to community needs while accounting for – not just acknowledging – the significant labor and legal implications involved in transforming the Seattle Police Department,” Durkan said in a statement after the vote.© 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. They were also critical of his decision to use tear gas and pepper spray against protesters who demonstrated after Floyd’s death May 25 in Minneapolis.Speaking Wednesday on WTMJ-AM, Morales said he decided to retire because if he returned to the department as a captain it would be at a reduced salary and would negatively impact his pension payments.“It would be foolish of me to stay and lose my pension or have that drop in pension,” Morales said. It really is about the overarching lack of respect for the officers. ACLU: New Milwaukee police chief shouldn't use harsh tactics. Best’s roughly $285,000 annual salary and the pay of other top police leaders also will be cut for the rest of the year, though Best's reduction was only about 3%.“Of all the major cities in America, Seattle had the chief that not only understands the lived experience of Black America because it is her experience, but has the deep experience in policing needed to change it,'' Durkan said. Todd Richmond, Associated Press. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, one of the highest-profile members of law enforcement to emerge as a vocal supporter of President Trump, resigned from his position on Thursday.County Clerk George Christenson said that he received a resignation letter from Clarke but that no reason for the move was provided.Clarke issued a "retirement statement" to local media hours after his resignation was announced. "In June, Clarke announced that he had rescinded his acceptance of a post in the Office of Public Engagement for the Department of Homeland Security. Police Chief Flynn Resigns Nationally known chief who changed Milwaukee department retires at age 69. All rights reserved.
Barr said Tuesday. Milwaukee police chief demoted:Alfonso Morales demoted after questions over use of tear gas, pepper spray at protests. He also spoke at the Republican National Convention last summer.