Editorial: Police Department Needed to Release Names [EDITORIAL]

One March 19, UWM’s campus police shot an alleged armed man sleeping in the Fine Arts Building. UWM alerted the community of the shooting by saying “shots fired by the fine arts loading dock. Shelter in place or avoid the area.” It took 12 full minutes for another update to be sent that said the subject was apprehended but to still avoid the building.

For 12 whole minutes UWM’s community was in a state of panic. They did not know if this was an active shooter situation or just random gun violence that Milwaukee has become accustomed to. It was only after the second message that everyone was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Still, not much was known about the two officers who responded to a report of a man sleeping in the building or the actual man.

The Oak Creek Police Department, who took over the investigation, did not quickly reveal the name of the shooting officer or the man right away. By holding on to the names, the police department is disarming the community’s right to information. It seems like a common practice for local police to hold information relevant to case now.  According to the department, limited information is shared due to the ongoing investigation. (Editor’s note: The names and details were released by the District Attorney’s Office in a criminal complaint after this editorial was written).

It can be argued that the names of the officer and the man are an important piece to this story. Without the names the public has no other option but to believe police. The public has no way of finding out if the alleged armed man is capable of attacking a police officer. Since the police department is keeping the names a secret, it causes no harm when the story is first being reported. What good would releasing the names be, if the only thing the community is advised to do is to seek shelter after a shooting?

In an ideal world, the police department would be transparent with the public. They would release information despite an investigation. Just so that the community would be well aware of what is happening. Unfortunately, we do not live in this world. The police hold onto information that the public deserves to know. How could the names of the officer and the man be so sensitive that it took over a week for them to be released?

10 days later it was the DA’s office that released the name of the man, not the Oak Creek Police Department.  No other information about the altercation on March 19th was released. Again, in an ideal world the name of the officer would be released. But, no. The officer’s name is still being kept from the public.

There’s no known reason for the names to be so secretive after 10 days. Since the Fine Arts Building has reopened to students and staff, it’s safe to assume that the police have collected the information and evidence they need.

This story will not be completed until the name of the officer is released and the details of the altercation are released. The public still does not know who reported the man sleeping in the building, not that many visitors should have been there since it was spring break. Irie Payne has been charged with multiple crimes against public safety. A court date has not been announced. Once these details are released, this story would be finished.  

This editorial was written based on the discussion of a JAMS 504 editorial board.