Jeffrey Norman Will Serve as Acting Police Chief
Once a finalist to be permanent chief, Norman will serve on interim basis.

MPD Assistant Chief Jeffrey Norman speaks at a press conference in October. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
One of the finalists to serve as Milwaukee’s police chief will lead the department on an interim basis, while the Fire & Police Commission remains deadlocked on picking a permanent chief.
Assistant Chief Jeffrey Norman, the only internal candidate of the six finalists, will become acting chief next week. He was eliminated from the chief search process in November.
“I appreciate that I am allowed this responsibility,” said Norman in brief remarks before the commission Thursday evening.
Current Acting Chief Michael Brunson is retiring on December 26th after 25 years with the department.
Brunson was a finalist to serve as chief following Edward A. Flynn‘s February 2018 retirement, but the commission ultimately selected Alfonso Morales, with Brunson becoming a deputy chief. Brunson became acting chief in August when Morales was demoted and said he would not seek the permanent post.
“I would like to thank you for your service and your sacrifice,” said Commissioner Everett Cocroft during the commission meeting. Other commissioners thanked Brunson as well.
“Don’t do anything silly,” said Commissioner Fred Crouther to laughter from Brunson.
There have been a number of departures from the department’s leadership ranks in 2020. Morales was demoted, elected to retire and is now suing the city. Brunson is retiring after his stint as acting chief. Assistant Chief Terrence Gordon is retiring and will take the role of chief for a Denver suburb. Assistant Chief Ray Banks retired earlier this year.
The commission is scheduled to vote, for a fifth time, on a new chief on January 7th.
Dallas police major Malik Aziz, FBI special supervisory agent Hoyt Mahaley and Portland deputy chief Chris Davis are the remaining finalists. The commission has voted four times to pick a new chief, each time deadlocking 3-3 on Aziz and Mahaley.
The Common Council has a pending confirmation of a seventh member for the commission, but the body is not scheduled to meet until January 19th. A vote on the confirmation was postponed earlier this week because the wrong, ordinance-required background check was ordered.
More about the Fire & Police Commission's Troubles
- City Hall: City Attorney Issues Confidential Opinion Regarding Morales Demotion - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 15th, 2021
- City Hall: Committee Rejects Ann Wilson’s FPC Reappointment - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 7th, 2021
- Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Completes FPC Background Investigation - Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office - Jan 7th, 2021
- FPC should halt selection of new police chief - Common Council President Cavalier Johnson - Jan 4th, 2021
- Op Ed: Mayor Barrett Is Asleep At The Switch - Jordan Morales - Dec 26th, 2020
- City Hall: Judge Restores Alfonso Morales As Police Chief - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 18th, 2020
- Jeffrey Norman Will Serve as Acting Police Chief - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 18th, 2020
- City Hall: Avalos Confirmation On Hold Because of FPC Misstep - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 14th, 2020
- City Hall: Committee Backs Leon Todd to Lead FPC - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 14th, 2020
- Commission Ties Again on Picking Milwaukee’s Next Police Chief - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 10th, 2020
Read more about Fire & Police Commission's Troubles here