Panel reverses itself, votes to fire officer

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Milwaukee's Fire and Police Commission has reversed itself and decided to fire an officer who punched a handcuffed woman in the face.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the decision comes after citizens protested at a commission meeting last week and several elected officials criticized the panel's earlier finding that the officer should keep his job.

Police say Richard Schoen arrested Jeanine Tracy in September 2011 after she became argumentative after a traffic stop. A squad car video shows Tracy stomping her feet, spitting and cursing before Schoen punches her, drags her out of the car by the hair and knees her in the stomach after she's on the floor of the police garage.

Last week, commissioners overruled Chief Edward Flynn's decision to fire him and instead approved a 60-day suspension.