MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman applies for police chief position in Austin, Texas
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Word broke Tuesday afternoon that Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman is looking for another job. Norman's vying to become the next police chief of Austin, Texas.
Journalists with the Austin American-Statesman newspaper filled out a public information request to find out who applied for the job. They got back 32 names, Jeffrey Norman among them.
A spokesman for the Austin Police Department tells us the search for their new chief's gaining momentum, with candidate screenings, evaluations and soon-to-be interviews.
"The city is telling me they're thinking it's probably going to be the end of July," said Skye Seipp, public safety reporter, Austin American-Statesman.
The Austin American-Statesman broke the news, printing the names of all 32 applicants.
"My understanding is that they're going to whittle it down and then they will have various panel interviews, so they're going to do some with like various city staff, various law enforcement staff, various community type of staff," said Seipp.
Although their last chief retired last year, Austin just started accepting applications last month, a time when Milwaukee police have been busy working on a public safety plan for the upcoming Republican National Convention. Milwaukee police told us in a statement, "Chief Norman's applicant status has no bearing on the Chief's commitment to the City of Milwaukee, and the safety and well-being of all residents."
Norman was sworn in as chief in November 2021 after more than 20 years moving up the ranks of MPD. Austin's next chief will face some challenges, including one Milwaukee also faces.
"We're dealing with just a massive loss and vacancies of police officers in the past few years...we currently have a vacancy of about 330 officers," said Seipp.
We reached out to numerous Milwaukee alderpersons, to the Fire and Police Commission, both current and past members, and to Milwaukee police seeking an interview with Chief Norman himself. No one wanted to speak on this right now.