James MacGillis Voted In As Wauwatosa Police Chief

WAUWATOSA, WI — The Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission voted 4-1 Thursday to appoint James MacGillis as Wauwatosa's new police chief.

One commissioner, Dominic Leone, didn't vote for MacGillis and instead voted for Jeffrey Norman, who is currently the acting police chief in Milwaukee.

Leone didn't say why he voted for Norman but later added that he had the "utmost confidence" in MacGillis.

Other commissioners took turns offering support for MacGillis.

"[MacGillis] talked about the importance of bridging police and community relations while balancing public safety," Commissioner Danielle Basil Long said. "And that fully aligns with what I believe is important in our next chief."

"For me, I'm confident in my selection in MacGillis," Commissioner Dana Cichy said. "Looking at what the community needs in terms of skill, background and personality in way to approach difficult decisions and tough issues."

For his part, MacGillis welcomed the challenges of the new job.

"There are several opportunities to build police and community trust and keeping all citizens safe," MacGillis said at the end of the meeting. "I look forward to embracing all those challenges and opportunities."

MacGillis took office immediately after the meeting.

The commission held its vote over Zoom, ending a hiring process that started in February. The three final candidates were MacGillis, David Salazar and Jeffrey Norman. All three are veterans of the Milwaukee Police Department.

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The finalists answered questions before the Police and Fire Commission on June 17. The city had gathered questions from the public in an earlier survey.

The city's search for a new police chief began after former Chief Barry Weber retired in June. Weber's retirement followed civil unrest, three police shooting deaths in the last five years and pressure to retire from a national group.

The next Police and Fire Commission meeting will take place in September, Leone said.