'We have to do better': Common Council pushes for answers after fatal domestic abuse case

Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read
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An in-depth review of the domestic violence case of Bobbie Lou Schoeffling and the contacts she had with law enforcement prior to her death could produce recommendations for change as soon as 30 days.

The update came from Constance Kostelac, director of the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission, and Heather Hough, chief of staff at the Milwaukee Police Department, who answered questions from Common Council’s Public Safety and Health Committee Thursday morning.

“I don’t want to get ahead of the investigation but it looks like many, many, many mistakes were made all over the place,” Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic said. “And just as a society and a community, we have to do better. We have to do better, we have to come together.”

A Journal Sentinel investigation into Schoeffling’s death, published last month, found police, probation agents and prosecutors missed the full scope of an escalating series of domestic violence allegations in the final 10 months of her life. The man she had accused of abuse had two open warrants unrelated to domestic violence during that time, but was not arrested until after her death. He is now charged with homicide.

The story sparked public outcry, including from the entire Common Council which signed a letter demanding answers and change from the Milwaukee Police Department and city’s Fire and Police Commission, the civilian oversight board.

After the story’s publication, the Milwaukee Police Department announced its Internal Affairs Division was undertaking an administrative review and requested a sentinel review from the Homicide Review Commission, led by Kostelac. The sentinel review includes all agencies, not just MPD, and will focus on what policies and practices should be changed to prevent a similar crime from occurring in the future.

“Where’s the accountability and what are the consequences?” Ald. Mark Borkowski asked Thursday.

The administrative review of the six contacts MPD had with Schoeffling could lead to discipline, Hough said.

She did not have a timeline for when the administrative review would be complete but said it is underway and ongoing. Hough said the department will be transparent in reporting out findings and any discipline once it is complete.

More: What to do if you or someone you care about is in an abusive relationship

Alderman 'horrified at the lack of compassion' officer showed victim

Ald. Scott Spiker, who requested the update on the Schoeffling reviews, pointed out the need for the department to reassure victims.

Bobbie Lou Schoeffling is seen in an undated family photo.
Bobbie Lou Schoeffling is seen in an undated family photo.

He specifically referenced a video published by the Journal Sentinel showing Schoeffling's interactions with an officer at District 3. The officer appeared to blame Schoeffling for the abuse she suffered and called her derogatory names after she left the lobby.

“Obviously the public and anybody who saw the video was horrified at the lack of compassion that was evinced and quite frankly the dripping misogyny that was present,” Spiker said.

Hough said the “transaction” that occurred is not representative of the Milwaukee Police Department and reiterated Chief Jeffrey Norman had placed a high priority on addressing domestic violence and dedicating resources to it before the Schoeffling case became public. The department already had scheduled in-service training on domestic violence for all sworn members this fall.

She said the department is continuing to push forward on changes even before the reviews are complete. Officials already have drafted language to broaden its internal definition of domestic violence and are updating how officers make referrals to the county's Domestic Violence High Risk Team.

“Having intentions isn’t enough,” Spiker said. “What we’re seeking here is … a plan for achieving as near to uniformity as possible and that involves rooting out some perhaps deeply baked cultural things within the department.”

Where to find help

  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

  • The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.

  • We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.

  • The Women’s Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828.

  • The Asha Project, which provides culturally specific services for African American women and others in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 414-252-0075.

  • The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural, domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at 414-389-6510.

  • The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at 414-383-9526.

  • Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, operates a crisis line at 414-727-1090.

  • The Hmong American Women’s Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at 414-930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

  • End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.

Need more help with crime and safety questions? The Milwaukee Resource Guide is here to help. Have something you want answered? Submit a question.

Contact Ashley Luthern at ashley.luthern@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @aluthern.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Common Council seeks answers in Bobbie Lou Schoeffling case