Reports of a Vigilante “Gang” in the Ranks of Milwaukee PD
Over the last several years, conflicting reports have lurked just beneath the surface of the Milwaukee Police Department—reports of a group of rogue officers within the ranks who acted with a sort of vigilante justice. Now, however, new documents reveal the group did, in fact exist and at least one officer rumored to be a part of it is still on the force.
Known as the Punishers, this group was first thrust into the limelight after the very publicized police beating of Frank Jude Jr. in 2004. This particular case ended with one officer pleading guilty to criminal charges and three others convicted of the beating in federal court.
A Captain within the Department at the time, James Galezewski called the group a “gang” and stated the group warranted further investigation and intervention by the Department. Surprisingly, however, the Punishers weren’t named in the Department’s 82 page internal investigation of the Jude case and a later investigation in 2008 stated the group didn’t exist.
Police Chief Edward Flynn even recently called the existence of such a rogue group a “rumor”, despite new reports to the contrary. The documents unsealed by a Federal Court judge provided details into the “rumored” group and their involvement in the 2004 beating.
The “Punishers” got their name from a comic book character and would wear black gloves and caps with a white skull during work hours. Some of them even got tattoos of the Punisher logo or had the skull on their vehicles. They were rumored to be out for punishment because the laws were inadequate.
Though there were signs that the group did exist and were active during the years surrounding the Jude case, there doesn’t seem to be any indication that the group is still active as many members are no longer with the force. Despite this, the 2008 report denying they ever existed, is largely believed to be flawed with the new release of documents.
The Frank Jude Jr. case was big news at the time as media outlets published Jude’s photo—bruised and bloodied at the hands of police at an off duty party. Officers stated he stole a badge, though the badge was never recovered. He was punched, kicked, and jabbed in the ears with pencils. His fingers were broken and his head was bashed until witnesses testified they could hear what sounded like bones cracking. The aggressors also used racial slurs throughout the beating.
Police beatings this severe are rare. Convictions in cases like this are even more unheard of. The cops would be acquitted at the local level but three would be convicted in federal court.
Getting in a fight is one thing. Being beat down by people tasked with maintaining order in the community is quite another. One wayward officer is a problem but a secret society of cops who want to take the law into their own hands is far more serious. One can only hope reports that the Punishers are no longer an issue are true.
