Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn is calling the recent sexual misconduct charges against the officer who fatally shot Sylville Smith extremely disappointing, but he assures the more recent case does not specifically relate to the Smith case.
“The issues surrounding that shooting are going to have to be decided on the lawfulness of the shooting, in the context of the events in which it occurred, not the character of the individual who did the shooting,” Flynn said.
Officer Dominique Heaggan-Brown fatally shot 23-year-old Smith on Aug. 13 after a chase, sparking several nights of unrest on the city’s north side. Police have said Smith was holding a gun when he was shot.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
Heaggan-Brown has been charged with two felony counts of second-degree sexual assault, a single count of felony recording of nudity without consent and two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution. The charges stem from alleged incidents in December, July and August, according to online court records.
The criminal complaint alleges Heaggan-Brown took a man to a bar late on the night of Aug. 14 where they drank and watched TV as coverage of the protests aired. The victim told police he had trouble remembering everything that happened after they left the bar but that he felt drugged. He said he woke up to find Heaggan-Brown assaulting him.
The complaint also alleges Heaggan-Brown offered two other people money for sex in recent months, and that he assaulted another unconscious person in July, and photographed that victim naked without consent.
Police released a statement Thursday saying Heaggan-Brown was arrested Wednesday after the Milwaukee County prosecutor filed a criminal complaint. Police claim the victim told police Aug. 15 that Heaggan-Brown had sexually assaulted him while off duty.
Police say they’ve launched an internal investigation.
Flynn responded to the concerns of Smith’s family about a police cover-up of Heaggan-Brown’s alleged actions.Police investigated as soon as the department was notified of the alleged assault, Flynn said.
“The investigation of that allegation led to the discovery of other crimes not previously alleged, and all of them are being charged,” Flynn said. “Now that’s a department that I think demonstrates integrity is being taken seriously.”
The head of Milwaukee’s police union said it’s imperative the facts dictate the case’ outcome.
Mike Crivello, president of the Milwaukee Police Association, issued a statement Thursday saying his union is proud to represent 1,600 “truly professional officers.”
He said in any large organization there may be times that one, or a few people, who discredit the rest. But this case is “by no means reflective of the overwhelming majority of good officers,” Crivello said in the statement.
He said the MPA condemns all criminal behavior by any member of society, part of his organization or not.
Heaggan-Brown has been suspended with pay and is being held in a local jail.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include original reporting from WPR.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.