Family of Dontre Hamilton files federal civil rights lawsuit against Milwaukee, Christopher Manney

MILWAUKEE -- The family of Dontre Hamilton filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in Milwaukee on Wednesday, April 27th. The lawsuit names both former Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney and the City of Milwaukee as defendants -- and was filed on behalf of Dontre Hamilton's son.

According to a statement released by the family, they are "seeking justice and accountability" for the death of 31-year-old Dontre on April 30, 2014. Dontre was shot and killed by Manney in Red Arrow Park in downtown Milwaukee.

"I really haven`t seen any progress in the policing of black people in Milwaukee," Maria Hamilton, Dontre Hamilton's mother said on April 27th, as the family announced this lawsuit.

"What we can do through this civil suit is make them more conscious -- and that`s not only the police department, that`s the city of Milwaukee," Nate Hamilton, Dontre Hamilton's brother said.

The following is noted in a news release issued by Hamilton family Attorney Jonathan Safran:

Hamilton was shot 14 times after Manney responded to a complaint of a man sleeping in Red Arrow Park on April 30th, 2014. Police said the shooting happened after a struggle, during which Hamilton grabbed Manney's baton. Manney was never charged, but he was fired after the police chief said he unnecessarily frisked Hamilton.

The 46-page lawsuit alleges a long, tragic history of a widespread pattern of violations committed by MPD officers.

It also says Dontre Hamilton suffered an unlawful detention, an unreasonable search and a fatal use of excessive force.

"The federal complaint also explains how the city of Milwaukee`s unconstitutional customs, policies and practices contributed to Dontre`s death," Safran said.

The lawsuit focuses on what Hamilton's family and their attorneys see as a lack of psychological screening for Milwaukee police officers. Perhaps, the lawsuit speculates, Manney would have been weeded out before he was hired. The suit also says only 367 of the force's 1,800 officers have gone through CIT (crisis intervention training).

"The emphasis here is not to indict the entire police department. Generally, they do a good job. What they do not do well is identifying the rogues and the scoundrels," Hamilton family attorney Alex Flynn said.

MPD spokesman Tim Gauerke said the department doesn't comment on pending litigation. City attorney Grant Langley also declined comment.

Manney spoke for the first time about the Hamilton incident when he talked on News/Talk 1130 in February.

"Life is 100% different and (my kids) say 'I want my dad back,' and it's tough. This incident has completely changed my life. Everyone says I'm this huge racist guy. But my nanny is Puerto Rican and Mexican. My kids are of a different race," Manney said.

Manney also described in that interview how his own family members struggle with mental illness.

"I will stand with the Hamilton family when it comes to justice, when it comes to the mental health issues because it just tore me apart. It just tore me apart. Why wasn't he at MCMH (Milwaukee County Mental Health)," Manney said.

Manney no longer lives in the state of Wisconsin. He said he was offered other jobs in law enforcement as soon as the day after he was fired. However, he says he is not fit to work as he still suffers from PTSD.