Chief Flynn implements policy to prevent in-custody deaths

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn addressed the Fire and Police Commission on Thursday, September 5th, regarding new procedures for MPD when it comes to handling prisoners and preventing in-custody deaths.

The policy changes stem from a September, 2010 incident when James Perry died while in police custody. Perry suffered a seizure in his cell and was transported to Aurora Sinai Medical Center where he was treated and released back to police.

"The medicine he had been given basically rendered him unconscious. It was supposed to be a relaxant," said Flynn.

Perry died of a heart attack a short time later.

Speaking before the Fire and Police Commission, Chief Flynn noted that tragedies can happen under the best of circumstances and it is not always the officers' fault.

"There are times when we're going to be confronted with circumstances we have not been presented with before we have to learn from every critical incident," Flynn said. "Even in the Perry case, we took him to a hospital that refused to admit him and we're not a hospital."

To prevent further cases such as Perry's, Chief Flynn is now requiring officers to take all prisoners, even those medically cleared at a hospital, to the County Jail instead of the city lockup because of the constant presence of a medical staff.

"I dare say that their concerns may be better listened to by a nurse than listened to by a police officer in that circumstance," said Flynn.

While Flynn admits officers may not be the best at determining medical distress, he hopes with the addition of the new policy, and additional officer training, they won't see any more in-custody deaths.

"It's important that our policies, as much as possible, become the result, not only of our research, but also learning from our own experience," added Flynn.

While implementing the new policy, Chief Flynn will appoint a Temporary Holding Administrator to oversee the treatment of prisoners.

Officers in the Perry case were found to have followed procedure and were not accused of any wrongdoing.