Police Officer Involved in NBA Player's Arrest Fired
A Milwaukee police officer involved in the arrest of Bucks player Sterling Brown has been fired because of social media posts mocking the incident, the city’s police chief said Thursday.
Police Chief Alfonso Morales said the firing decision was not tied to anything Erik Andrade did when Brown was arrested, but the social media posts compromised the officer’s ability to testify in other cases.
Morales spoke about the case at a Marquette University event.
Brown sued the police department in June and accused officers of using excessive force and targeting him because he’s black.
An officer confronted Brown at a Walgreens drugstore around 2 a.m. Jan. 26 because his vehicle was parked across two disabled parking spaces.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound rookie was standing close to the officer, and when asked to step back, he moved only slightly.
“Are you obstructing me? I just told you to back up,” the officer said.
“I just did,” Brown said. “You touched me first.”
The officer called for backup, and more police arrived on the scene.
While officers were talking to Brown, one of them could be heard telling him, “Take your hands out of your pockets, now!”
He didn’t do so, saying he had “stuff in my hands.”
Officers then surrounded Brown and used a stun gun on him.
Andrade was not one of the officers who tackled or tased Brown, but he later mocked the NBA player on Facebook.
“Nice meeting Sterling Brown of the Milwaukee Bucks at work this morning! Lol#FearTheDeer,” one Facebook post read, referencing a slogan used to cheer on the Bucks at games.
Andrade also was criticized for posting what some viewed as racist memes, including one that likened Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant’s hair to the sprinkles on an ice cream cone.
Morales said in a statement that Andrade’s posts violate the department’s social media policies.
“They have a racist connotation and are derogatory, mocking an individual who was recently the subject of officers’ use of force,” Morales said. “Such comments also directly affect his credibility and ability to testify in future hearings as a member of this Department. I have not, and will not, tolerate such behavior.”
A total of 11 officers involved in the arrest were disciplined or retrained, but Andrade was not among those punished at the time.
The president of the Milwaukee Police Association, Mike Crivello, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on behalf of Andrade.
Andrade does not have a listed phone number.
Morales apologized to Brown for his officers’ actions, and the Bucks’ second-year guard was never charged with anything.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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