Milwaukee aldermen propose five policing reforms in wake of no-charging decision in Hamilton case

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A group of Milwaukee aldermen proposed policing reforms on Tuesday morning, December 23rd. Their ideas are being presented in the wake of Monday's decision by Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm not to file charges against Christopher Manney in the shooting death of Dontre Hamilton.

Common Council members Ashanti Hamilton, Russell Stamper II, Milele Coggs, Willie Wade and José Pérez  say the District Attorney's decision demonstrates the need for reforms. Common Council President Michael Murphy also spoke at the news conference Tuesday.

These aldermen are in agreement about the need for change, but they're not necessarily in agreement on whether Manney should have been criminally charged in Dontre Hamilton's death.

"I want to express my profound disgust, disappointment and overall frustration with the D.A.`s decision not to charge Officer Manney," Stamper said.

These Common Council members are now actively working to enact five reforms:

"These are things we actually can do," Stamper said.

But not every alderman thinks the proposed changes would improve the situation in Milwaukee.

"We need to look like we`re doing something but really, many of these ideas I`ve heard before and until they`re fully fleshed out, I`m not heavily enthusiastic about them," Alderman Joe Dudzik said.

The Milwaukee Police Department issued the following statement in reaction to the proposals by the aldermen:

In a joint statement, these Common Council members said the following in a news release early Tuesday:

The Common Council has approved $100,000 for body cameras -- included in the 2015 budget. The aldermen speaking out on Tuesday want body cameras for all officers, which would cost about $1 million.

A spokesman for the Mayor's Office says Mayor Barrett is considering appointing two new members to the Fire and Police Commission next year, but first, he wants to fill the opening for executive director.

CLICK HERE for further coverage of the Dontre Hamilton case via FOX6Now.com.