MacGillis named Wauwatosa police chief

WAUWATOSA, Wis. - The City of Wauwatosa's Police and Fire Commission (PFC) on Thursday, July 1 voted to appoint James MacGillis as the city's next police chief.

According to the city's website, MacGillis will begin serving as Wauwatosa's top cop on July 26.

MacGillis was working as a drug enforcement officer, used to lead training at the Milwaukee Police Academy and also served in the U.S. Army. All of that combined with a new approach to police the city he grew up in helped him land the chief job.

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The vote took just minutes, four of five PFC commissioners choosing MacGilllis.

"My opinion is MacGillis is the best for Wauwatosa's future, taking into consideration our residents and businesses, our visitors and especially to our police officers that serve and protect us on a daily basis," said Commissioner Dana Cichy.

The Wauwatosa West High School graduate beat Acting Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, who received one vote, and Milwaukee Police Capt. David Salazar, who did not receive a vote Thursday.

"There's several opportunities to build police and community trust while keeping all citizens safe at the forefront of what we do as a profession and as an agency," MacGillis said. "I look forward to embracing both of those challenges and opportunities."

Barry Weber announced his retirement as Wauwatosa's chief of police five months earlier. The process to find his replacement included a nationwide search, community listening sessions and public interviews. It was a process Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride said helped give the people what they want.

"Well, they wanted a police chief who understands the 21st-century policing strategies, new initiatives, a good communicator, someone who works well with public officials and reaches out to the community," McBride said.

And after a tumultuous year that included protests and clashes on city streets, the PFC said MacGillis is the right man for the job.

"These are no doubt challenging times, but I believe that Jim MacGillis is up for the challenge," said Commissioner Danielle Basil Long.

On Tuesday, the Wauwatosa Common Council will review an 86-page report from the Center for Public Safety Management analyzing the Wauwatosa Police Department as a whole.

McBride said he hopes MacGillis will embrace the recommendations to help move the police department forward once he officially takes over.

Statement from Wauwatosa Peace Officers Association

The WPOA welcomes James MacGillis as the new Chief of Police. We look forward to working with him in the future on the issues and challenges facing our community and police department.

Chief MacGillis has an impressive background and strong ties to the City of Wauwatosa. We are confident in his ability to lead this department and are eager to continue to serve and protect the citizens of Wauwatosa under his command.

We commend the members of the PFC for their diligent search and selection process that produced three very qualified candidates.

MPD chief search impact

Wauwatosa's selection could also impact who leads the Milwaukee Police Department.

City leaders in Milwaukee, including Common Council President Cavalier Johnson, have voiced their support for Norman to remain with Milwaukee police and take over the open chief position. However, amid ongoing litigation between the city and former Chief Alfonso Morales, the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission has put its chief search on hold. Norman has held the position in the interim.

A Milwaukee County judge ruled Morales did not receive due process in his demotion from chief in August 2020, thus requiring Morales be reinstated to his position as chief by July 3 or strike a settlement with the city. Those talks are ongoing, though an attorney for Morales told FOX6 Thursday his return to work has now been pushed to July 12.

The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission will discuss its ongoing litigation with Morales in executive session Thursday night.

Norman was one of five semi-finalists for the Milwaukee chief position, but he did not make the final cut. The three finalists included Dallas Police Major Malik Aziz, FBI Agent Hoyt Mahaley and Portland Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis.

At the time, the fire and police commission had a split 3-3 vote for Aziz and Mahaley. Aziz has since taken a new position as Prince George County Chief of Police in Maryland.