13 Milwaukee officers face possible discipline in Brutal Beating of Black Man

A panel has recommended disciplinary action against 13 members of the Milwaukee Police Department in the beating of a black man last fall outside the home of a white officer, a spokeswoman said Friday. Anne E. Schwartz said the department's Professional Performance Division recommended 79 charges against the 13. The recommendations were made to Police Chief Nan Hegerty. Schwartz declined to identify any of the 13, saying that they have a week to respond to the recommendations and it would be "inappropriate for the chief to comment" before the week is out. Three officers already face felony criminal charges in the beating of Frank Jude Jr. in the early morning hours of October 24. Those officers are no longer on the force. Schwartz would not say whether any of those three are among the 13 facing disciplinary charges. Jude spent several days in the hospital after the beating, which took place after he arrived with a black friend and two white women at the home of a white member of the police force. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported in Friday's editions that 10 officers who were off-duty and at the party could be fired, while three who were on-duty and responded to the scene of the beating could be disciplined but not fired. Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann, who charged the three officers February 28, had said his investigation was delayed by a lack of cooperation among some officers. [more]

• Beating Victim Jude Speaks Out [more]