Fire & Police Commission approves promotions, rescissions and appointments

The Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission on Jan. 8 approved multiple personnel actions across the fire department, emergency communications and the Milwaukee Police Department.

Fire department: The commission approved a promotion without examination to the Carpenter 3 position (file FPC 2 1 2 3 3 8) after a presentation by Deputy Chief Darren Peterberg about the candidate’s experience and MATC coursework. A roll-call vote returned unanimous approval.

Emergency communications: The commission approved promotion resolutions to Emergency Communications Officer 4 for Janice Brown, Denise Gray, Charles Lockwood and Ashley Drager (file FPC 2 1 2 3 3 6). It also approved the promotion of Cynthia Cool to Emergency Communications Officer 2 and appointed 10 Emergency Communications Officer 1 candidates from an eligible list; those items were adopted by roll call or voice vote as noted on the record.

Police department appointments and reappointments: The commission approved a resolution to rescind five police-officer appointments (file FPC 2 1 2 3 3 9) because the appointees had not completed training or had left the process. Reappointments were approved for former officers identified in the files, including the reappointment noted as Oliver Pathamone (file FPC 2 1 2 3 4 0) and Larry Walker (file FPC 2 1 2 3 4 1); the Walker reappointment recorded one abstention and otherwise carried. The commission also approved the appointment of Catherine Watson (file FPC 2 1 2 3 4 2) after first waiving FEC Rule 13, Section 1 (voice vote to waive; roll-call vote to approve the appointment); commissioners clarified she remains probationary and the probation may be extended.

Process notes: Some items were adopted by general consent (consent agenda), others required roll-call or voice votes as recorded. The meeting record shows motions were moved and seconded, and the chair cast votes where needed; in all documented cases the motions carried as announced on the record.

What’s next: Personnel items take effect per departmental and civil‑service rules and any required probation or waivers will be administered as recorded.