KENOSHA, Wisconsin — Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said Monday he would not be bullied into firing the officer who shot and partially paralyzed Jacob Blake despite growing demands by Blake’s family and other community activists.
Miskinis said he was “extremely disappointed” that a group of 40 protesters showed up at a rally on Sunday to demand Blake’s termination and an apology to Blake’s family for failing to notify it of officer Rusten Sheskey’s return.
The group blocked the entrance to the Public Safety Building, which was still boarded up from huge protests when Blake was shot last August.
KENOSHA POLICE CHARGE 55 MORE PEOPLE IN WAKE OF RIOTS
Three people were arrested during Sunday’s rally, including Blake’s uncle, Justin Blake, 52; Joseph Cardinali, 24; and the Rev. Jonathan Barker, 37, of Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha. They had all been booked in the county jail on misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges but had been released Monday morning after posting bond.
Justin Blake was also arrested on the misdemeanor charge of obstructing or resisting an officer.
Miskinis said the department would not “respond to demands” or “entertain the unlawful termination of a police officer.”
He added his office was “open to constructive communication” but that it “cannot effectively communicate with those that seek a spotlight to create and further facilitate a false narrative.”
Sheskey, who is white, was not charged in the 2020 incident that left Blake, who is black, paralyzed from the waist down. Sheskey shot Blake seven times while Blake was about to get into an SUV.
Kenosha police announced earlier this month that Sheskey had returned from administrative leave. He is on desk duty and not on patrol, officials said.
Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced in January that his office would not prosecute any officers involved in Blake’s shooting.
Blake’s attorneys filed a lawsuit against Sheskey last month.
