Norman takes the oath as Milwaukee's 22nd police chief: 'I am without a doubt ready'
Since early 2020, Milwaukee has suffered through historic levels of gun violence and reckless driving, all while a chaotic and arduous search for a new police chief unfolded.
But in the Common Council chambers of City Hall on Monday, with well more than 100 people present, optimism and confidence for Milwaukee’s future were unwavering as Jeffrey Norman was sworn in as the city’s 22nd police chief.
“I am without a doubt ready to take on this role for our community,” said Norman, a 25-year veteran of the department and a Milwaukee native. He has served as chief in an acting capacity since late December 2020.
Norman’s ascendancy to the chief position has been highly anticipated by key city officials and community members for his track record on, and stated commitment to, community engagement. And it comes at a time when the public is demanding greater accountability, collaboration and reform like never before.
Monday's ceremony was the final chapter of a long odyssey the city's Fire and Police Commission went on after its legally flawed decision to ouster Norman's predecessor, Alfonso Morales.
It took 15 months for the commission to settle on Norman, but he said Monday his journey to the chief's office began more than 25 years ago. He said ever since he was enrolled in the department's training academy, this has been his goal.
In his remarks after taking the oath with his wife and two kids at his side, Norman said he envisions a Milwaukee where “every neighbor engages with our community, to have neighborhoods free of crime, self-sustaining and maintained by positive relationships.”
To get there, he said, his department will prioritize building trust and legitimacy. He likened those two qualities to a glass ball that police must juggle, with other items. He said that ball “has been dropped a number of times” but argued it was “not shattered.”
He said his commitment to community engagement is “not about officers giving out ice cream cones and lollipops, even though that’s not bad to do.
“It’s about understanding how we can best provide the service.”
Norman’s challenges are steep. Apart from historic highs in gun violence and motor vehicle deaths, the Milwaukee area is also combating record high overdoses and car thefts. He will be under pressure to bring the department in compliance with a landmark civil rights lawsuit over its stop-and-frisk practices, as well as further civilianizing its ranks.
In reference to that compliance, Norman said he’s committed to “introduce a new, sustainable era of accountability in legitimate police actions.” He said he will strive to build an efficient department with a mixture of sworn and non-sworn staff.
Prior to Norman taking the oath, Mayor Tom Barrett said police work today is perhaps more challenging than it’s ever been in American history. He stressed that to overcome that, Norman will have to build respect between officers and residents.
“The reason I believe Chief Norman will be successful in this job is because he respects people,” Barrett said. “Every single interaction I’ve ever seen (with) Chief Norman, he was respectful.”
More: Jeffrey Norman unanimously selected as Milwaukee's new police chief, gets 4-year term
Speakers who came before Norman on Monday included that of Barrett, Common Council President Cavalier Johnson, Fire and Police Commission Chair Ed Fallone and the director of the city’s Office of Violence Prevention Arnitta Holliman.
Each of them was effusive in their confidence and excitement for Norman. Fallone called him “as exceptional as everyone says he is,” while Johnson said Norman represents a 21st century leader who knows “the old way won’t work.”
“The Milwaukee Police Department has always needed bold, courageous and community-centric leadership, and even more so now,” Holliman said, noting she was the first director from the Office of Violence Prevention to speak at such a ceremony, and did so at Norman’s invitation.
“Your exemplary leadership has left an impression on me. When others appeared as though they couldn’t care less, you have consistently showed up, listened and followed the words with actions to prove you couldn’t care more,” she added.
Contact Elliot Hughes at [email protected] or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12.
Stay in the know. Sign up to get NewsWatch delivered to your inbox every afternoon.
Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.
DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jeffrey B. Norman sworn in as Milwaukee's 22nd police chief
