Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds Firing of Officer Over Racist Memes

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that former Milwaukee police officer Erik Andrade was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the 2018 arrest of NBA player Sterling Brown. In a 5-2 decision, the court determined that the police chief followed the proper procedures in terminating Andrade and that his due process rights were not violated.

Andrade was not directly involved in Brown's arrest, but he posted memes mocking the incident on Facebook. One of the posts said, "Nice meeting Sterling Brown of the Milwaukee Bucks at work this morning! Lol#FearTheDeer" The police chief fired Andrade, stating that the posts would undermine his credibility as a witness in future criminal proceedings.

Brown, who was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks at the time, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city, police department, and several officers, including Andrade, over the arrest. The city of Milwaukee previously paid Brown $750,000 and apologized for the incident, which the police department acknowledged had escalated unnecessarily despite Brown's calm behavior.

Why this matters: The case highlights the consequences that police officers can face for inappropriate social media activity, even if they are not directly involved in the incidents they post about. It also underscores the ongoing issues of racism and excessive force in policing that have sparked nationwide protests and calls for reform in recent years.

In its ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court found that the police chief properly explained the evidence supporting Andrade's firing and gave him a chance to respond. The court also determined that the police chief followed the law when he listed the policies Andrade violated and referenced the Facebook posts that formed the basis for the violations.

Andrade challenged his firing, arguing that his due process rights were violated, but the courts upheld the decision. The ruling sends a message that police departments can hold officers accountable for racist or inappropriate social media activity that undermines public trust and the integrity of the justice system.

Key Takeaways

• Wisconsin court upholds firing of officer for posting racist memes about NBA player's arrest.
• Officer was not involved in the arrest but his posts undermined his credibility as a witness.
• City of Milwaukee previously paid $750,000 and apologized for the unnecessary escalation of the arrest.
• Ruling highlights consequences for inappropriate social media activity by police, even if not directly involved.
• Court found the police chief followed proper procedures in terminating the officer's employment.