Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman not selected for top police job in Austin, Texas
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman was not selected for the police chief job in Austin, Texas on Friday.
That comes after the Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced that they were moving forward with Lisa Davis, an assistant chief in Cincinnati. Norman was one of two finalists, along with Davis.
“The Chief of Police is a critical position for any city and, as I’ve said since joining the City of Austin in early May, identifying a permanent police chief was a top priority for me,” Broadnax said, according to the Austin American-Statesman. “I appreciate the invaluable feedback I’ve received, which has helped inform my decision. I have elected to move Chief Davis forward for confirmation.”
The two had been named as finalists on July 16. In an interview that day, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said it would be a loss for the city if Norman left but added that he had “nothing but respect” for the chief.
If Norman had received the Austin position, he would have ended a four-year tenure as Milwaukee’s top cop that began when he was named the department’s acting chief in 2020 and permanent chief the next year.
Norman stressed community collaboration when answering questions in Austin
Last week marked the first time Norman spoke publicly about his interest in the Austin position. On Tuesday, he answered questions from reporters in Austin as the city hosted both finalists.
He referenced his experience in Milwaukee at times and also noted his role on the board of trustees of the Boys and Girls Club of Milwaukee when responding to a question about working with youth.
He was also asked what tools he could bring from Milwaukee to Austin and Norman emphasized community engagement as an “interchangeable tool.”
At one point, Norman said he was not new to the types of challenges that he would face in Austin.
“The things I’ve dealt with in regards to my respective department has been a labor of love,” he said. “But through collaboration, great team members, supportive community and the electeds, things can happen when we all work together.”
Norman has long career with the Milwaukee Police Department
Norman, a Milwaukee native, was hired in 1996 by the Milwaukee police and steadily rose through the ranks, serving as a lieutenant in the homicide unit and later a captain of District 3, which includes parts of the central city and west side.
In 2020, he became assistant chief and later that year was appointed as acting chief, following the retirement of another acting chief and the controversial removal of former chief Alfonso Morales in 2020.
The next year, Norman was named the chief of police for the department after a tumultuous 15-month search for the city. He was the second Black man to be named permanent police chief, after Arthur Jones, who was chief from 1996 to 2003.
Norman has emphasized community relations and led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, when crime rose across the country and in Milwaukee. He also worked with the mayor’s office to start the city’s traffic safety unit, designed to reduce reckless driving in Milwaukee.
This year, crime in Milwaukee has largely dropped across many categories but still outpaces 2019 levels.
Skye Seipp of the Austin American-Statesmen staff contributed to this report.
MILWAUKEE — Inside a Milwaukee funeral home Sunday, students in a gun violence prevention program took part in a mock funeral meant to show the devastating impact violence can leave behind.
The emotional exercise at New Golden Gate Funeral Home was part of the “I Will Not Die to Gun Violence” initiative, a 10-week violence prevention program for adults and young people involved in or impacted by gun-related cases.
Watch: Why one Milwaukee man is working to advocate against gun violence by teaching students conflict resolution in his “I Will Not Die to Gun Violence” initiative, and how the program is making a difference.
Milwaukee anti-gun violence initiative prepares to graduate first class
It was created by founder Monte Mabra after his brother, 48-year-old Latroy Harris, was shot and killed in December.
“My brother’s memorial service was here,” Mabra said through tears during the event.
“This is taboo for me. I didn’t think this was going to to happen.”
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The program teaches conflict resolution and gun violence awareness.
Ten students are set to graduate this week after meeting twice a week throughout the spring.
Mabra said some participants joined through social media outreach while others were referred through the courts.
During the mock funeral, participants portrayed grieving family members mourning an 8-year-old boy killed by gun violence.
Mabra said participants were later invited to walk up to the casket. Inside was a mirror.
“There’s a mirror there today to represent it could’ve been you. It can happen to anyone,” Mabra said.
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Student Robert Johnson said the experience felt personal.
“This could be any of us,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the program helped him think differently about high-risk situations and the people around him.
“It helps me,” Johnson said. “Gives me different tools on the day-to-day basis on ways to think, high risk situations, people I should stay away from.”
Student Dan Cross said the program challenged participants to think more deeply about violence and where it comes from.
“Violence comes in different shapes, colors and sizes and a lot of it comes from social conditioning,” Cross said.
“I’m a gun owner and father of four. This is a great way to break cycles of violence and teach my children better.”
Antonio D. Brown, the man accused of killing Harris, is expected back in court this week.
“I never wanted revenge… My hope and my wish is with this program you’re able to identify the thinking and decisions you make,” Mabra added.
Mabra said seven spots remain open for the program’s next summer session.
For questions or information about the initiative, you can call (414) 306-2107.
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This week on “In Focus,” State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, discussed Milwaukee’s climbing homicide numbers from 2024 through 2025 and what’s behind them.
She discussed what needs to happen in Madison and at the local level in Milwaukee to reduce the number of crimes city-wide. Johnson said she believes more family involvement is part of the complex solution to make the city and state safer.
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Fire Department says one person is injured and was taken to Froedtert Hospital for treatment after a rollover vehicle crash near N. 12th Street and W. Vliet Street on Saturday night.
MFD’s battalion chief confirmed this information to TMJ4 News in a statement.
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A TMJ4 crew on scene of the crash around 8:20 p.m. saw crews there from the Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.
TMJ4 also reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office for comment but has not heard back.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
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