Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, Barrett names 3 community leaders

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Wednesday, June 9 announced his picks to serve on the city's Fire and Police Commission (FPC).

Barrett nominated retired judge Joan Kessler, MENTOR Greater Milwaukee Executive Director LaNelle Ramey and Marquette University Professor Ed Fallone. All three accepted the mayor's nomination.

The nominations are subject to Common Council approval. If approved, they would fill the vacant seat previously held by Steven DeVougas and two expiring appointments held by Nelson Soler and Angela McKenzie.

The FPC is a civilian oversight board for Milwaukee's fire and police departments with a wide range of responsibilities. 

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett

In a statement, Barrett said: "These nominees will bring enormous talent and experience to the Fire and Police Commission. Each has a notable record of professional accomplishment and considerable insight into issues of public safety and the law."

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Joan Kessler, LaNelle Ramey and Ed Fallone

The Nominees

Joan Kessler

Kessler is a retired Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge and a former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Before she was elected to the bench, Kessler was a partner in private practice at the Foley & Lardner law firm.

She is a member and former president of the ACLU Milwaukee.

LaNelle Ramey

Ramey is executive director of MENTOR Greater Milwaukee, sits on the Milwaukee Board of Health, and serves as an adjunct professor at Cardinal Stritch University.

As an undergraduate, he majored in criminal law studies at Marquette University. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from Marquette.

Ed Fallone

Fallone is currently an associate professor at Marquette University Law School, where he teaches courses on topics including constitutional law. He has held leadership roles in several organizations in Milwaukee’s Hispanic and immigrant communities.

"I’m the son of a Mexican immigrant and public school teacher. I’ll be on the body that is helping to formulate policies for our public safety offices," said Fallone. "The Fire and Police Commission is ready to do its job, and to provide civilian oversight and receive complaints from the public, and to act on matters of policy and change."