Milwaukee Police Chief Nan Hegerty’s sudden and unexpected announcement that she will step down as top cop for the city of Milwaukee creates a very unique opportunity for our city.  This also can provide a way to see the true mettle of Mayor Barrett and potentially affect his bid for re-election.

While Mayor Barrett does not appoint a new police chief (the position is appointed by the fire and police commission) he certainly would have an opinion that would be considered a harbinger that many would listen to and respect.  The Mayor has the opportunity to step up and recommend a candidate who will be far less milquetoast than our current chief.  While I believe that Chief Hegerty did an admirable job, I believe that our city can do better and that there are candidates out there who can further what she has already done while at the same time bringing their own ideas and strategies to the table.

The issue of crime in Milwaukee has been at the forefront of our daily news and recently has been headlining national publications. There have also been a number of high-profile incidents regarding officer misconduct the largest of which has been the ongoing Frank Jude case.

I believe that most Milwaukeeans are ready for a change and ready for a shake-up when it comes to policing our city streets and do not want someone who will simply kowtow to the union and repeat failed strategies from the past.

This position desperately needs someone who relishes the idea of a monumental challenge, a position that often times is thank-less and only garners headlines when things go wrong.  The new chief needs to be far more visible in the public eye and hold people accountable for their wrongdoings both inside the department and out.  Essentially this person needs to be someone who is not afraid to ruffle the feathers of the rank and file and addresses the needs of the people they protect and who pay their salaries.

Does Milwaukee have anyone who can meet these standards? Do we need to bring in someone from outside Milwaukee with fresh ideas despite not having street-level knowledge of our city?

Use the talkback feature to suggest potential candidates to be considered.

(Note: In a previous blog I stated that I believed Calvin Lee may be a candidate in Ald. McGee/Jackson’s recall election. This information was speculative and he has since declared that he is not running for the seat.)