Posted by Deborah Lee Jarrett
“A Milwaukee police officer characterized by the prosecutor in the Frank Jude beating case as the embodiment of a department “code of silence” was promoted to sergeant by the city’s Fire and Police Commission on Thursday.
The commission approved the promotion of Officer Bradley Blum on a 4-1 vote without debate. Commissioner Michael O’Hear cast the lone objection, saying after the meeting that the October 2004 beating of Jude by several officers — in which Blum failed to intervene — “was too severe.”
Jude’s attorney Jon Safran voiced his opposition, saying Blum was the only officer at the scene who refused to answer questions in a 2009 deposition, asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
“It should raise a concern that this officer, who appeared to support the apparent code of silence within the Police Department, will now be responsible for leading and acting as an example to other officers,” he said.
They are always saying that it is just a few bad apples that are spoiling the bushel. I think it is exactly the opposite.
Maybe a few good ones and they are afraid to speak up.
Deborah Lee Jarrett 