Optics Over Evidence Is Not Leadership

In the wake of the ICE shooting in Minneapolis, facts must come before feelings, and leadership must come before headlines. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s premature comments ignored this principle, shaping public perception before any investigation was complete.

The Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police – Cream City Lodge #8 issues the following statement:

“The Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police – Cream City Lodge #8 strongly condemns Mayor Johnson’s premature and irresponsible public commentary regarding the ICE shooting in Minneapolis. By forming and broadcasting an opinion based on video footage, the Mayor substituted optics for evidence and speculation for disciplined leadership.

Law enforcement use-of-force incidents are complex, fast-moving, and fact-specific. They cannot be responsibly judged through video clips viewed after the fact. Video does not capture an officer’s real-time threat assessment, intent, or the totality of circumstances confronting them in a matter of seconds. Leaders who suggest otherwise mislead the public and erode confidence in the investigative process.

The Mayor’s generalized call for “restraint,” particularly when directed at law enforcement without a corresponding affirmation of lawful authority and due process, is both misguided and dangerous. Federal agents, like all law enforcement officers, are entitled to fair, objective, evidence-based investigations, not public judgment shaped by political pressure or social media narratives.

The Fraternal Order of Police – Cream City Lodge #8 expects elected officials to exercise the same restraint they demand of others. True leadership requires patience, respect for the rule of law, and the discipline to withhold commentary until all facts are known. Anything less undermines public safety, officer morale, and the integrity of our justice system.”