Jerome “Jerry” Dudzik
March 1, 1927 to June 13, 2010
By: William Ward
Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) past President Jerry Dudzik passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2010.
The Milwaukee Police Department changed rapidly after World War II with the recruiting of returning veterans to law enforcement. One of those returning veterans was Jerome “Jerry” Dudzik who tried other employment upon his return but decided to become a Milwaukee police officer. Jerry started with the MPD on 07-02-1951 and was assigned to District 2 as a rookie. He loved law enforcement and became active in the Professional Policemen’s Protective Association (PPPA). The PPPA changed its name to the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) on 01-01-1977.
Never one to mince words, Jerry Dudzik soon became a leader of the PPA. During this time the Association was undergoing changes and growing pains. The size of the police force grew and the responsibilities of law enforcement became greater.
Soon Jerry was in the forefront as a PPPA leader during turbulent times. The riots of 1967 changed the MPD. Jerry was appointed MPA Trustee on 06-03-1967 just days before the civil disturbances began. He went on to serve as President, Secretary-Treasurer and the second full-time police liaison officer.
Facing a long time established mayor and an entrenched police chief who wanted no change the task ahead for Jerry and the other leaders of the PPPA was daunting. Jerry Dudzik was up to the challenge as he and other trustees’ wielded the PPPA into a strong forward looking organization that took on issue after issue.
They had to change the PPPA by moving offices out of the safety building to 1012 North 3rd Street. Soon they hired the first secretary-bookkeeper. Prior to this time if the president wanted to pay a bill he had to have the secretary-treasurer come down to the office with the checkbook.
The labor laws in the State of Wisconsin were changing and collective bargaining was the norm for most public employees, but not for police officers. Jerry and other trustee’s lobbied hard in Madison to go from “collective begging” to full labor rights. First getting non binding fact-finding and then full bargaining rights. The City of Milwaukee still delayed the process so the Board of trustees lobbied for the enactment of the police binding arbitration law. A grievance procedure was added to the contract.
For many years officers worked roll call time for free. A Milwaukee Badge article from 1970 indicated the City of Milwaukee labor negotiator wanted to go back to the old days. He stated “for years you did it (roll call) for nothing” and demanded it be eliminated. While Jerry Dudzik was President he lead the PPPA thru some of the toughest contract bargaining. There was a blue flu and picketing at city hall.
The police wives group was formed by Jerry’s wife Rose and other ladies to help the officer’s gain and keep the hard won benefits.
A giant among police labor executives in America he worked tirelessly for his members. He backed down from no one.
Robert Kliesmet and Jerry Dudzik alternated the positions of president and secretary-treasurer for many years. Reporters would call Jerry after getting a statement from Kliesmet and get the same answer to their questions. They never could figure out how they always gave the same answer. In the early days their desks were back to back and they always knew what the other had said.
Jerry was foot patrol officer at District 2 and was assigned the area around South 6th Street and W. National Avenue. One of his favorite restaurants was Conejitos’ Place located at 539 W. Virginia Street where Jerry would bring his friends. He would consume a large amount of Conejito’s hot sauce and unsuspecting friends thinking the hot sauce was mild, soon learned to late that it was hot hot hot!
Jerry Dudzik retired on 11-01-1979 and was recognized at the MPA 100th Anniversary Celebration held during October of 2009. As one of the MPA leaders during its first 100 years (1909-2009) Jerry was pleased to take part with the new leaders who will guide the MPA for the next 100 years.
He is survived by his wife Rose and daughter Julie, and sons Mark, Tom, Joe and John.
Every officer past, present and future has been impacted by Jerome “Jerry” Dudzik.
Rest in peace for a job well done.