Milwaukee Police Chief Candidates Agree on Approaches to Systemic Racism

The three final candidates for Milwaukee police chief agreed that systemic racism is a large problem in not only Milwaukee but the entire United States, and that it will take a lot of change and listening.  

On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 the three final candidates for the position of Milwaukee police chief answered questions about various topics of concern.  

The meeting took place via Webinar and lasted approximately three hours.  

The meeting was attended by members of the Milwaukee community as well as the Board of Fire and Police Commissioner, Everett Cocroft.  

Pardeep Kaleka was the moderator for the meeting.  

The Fire and Police Commission board announced the three finalists on Oct. 22.  

The three final candidates are Deputy Chief for the Portland Police Bureau, Chris Davis, former Dallas Police Major, Malik Aziz and FBI supervisory Special Agent, Hoyt Mahaley.  

The candidates had similar answers when asked about systemic racism, the war on drugs and how to deal with civil unrest and protests.  

Malik Aziz is a former Dallas Police major and is currently the National Chair and Executive Director of the National Black Police Association.  

Chris Davis is the current Deputy Chief for the Portland Police Bureau and was the former Assistant Chief of Operations.  

Hoyt Mahaley is an FBI Supervisory Special Agent and former Milwaukee department police officer.  

Systemic racism has been a huge problem in not only Milwaukee but the United States as a whole.  

Davis said that in order to solve this problem, it’s going to take a culture change as well as meetings with youth of color in the community.  

“I think we need to get comfortable being uncomfortable in this conversation,” said Davis.  

Aziz said he would address systemic racism by meeting often with city leaders, conducting proper background checks and adding a course on the history of Milwaukee to the academy.  

Mahaley was quick to say that racism of any sort will not be tolerated and that his top priority is to listen.  

“Police need to police themselves,” said Mahaley. 

Another extremely important topic that the meeting touched on was civil unrest and dealing with protests.  

All the candidates agreed that working with organizers to try and help facilitate the events in the least destructive fashion is the way to go. 

The war on drugs in Milwaukee was addressed in the meeting as well.  

Aziz spoke on how some of his brothers and sisters struggled with drug use and how this is an extremely important issue to him.  

He proposed that redirecting funds for rehab purposes may be an attempt he would make to stop the war on drugs in Milwaukee. 

Another question that was asked to the candidates was “Why Milwaukee?”.  

When asked the question, Mahaley said that he has family here and believes he can make Milwaukee the best Police Department in the country.  

“I think I have something to bring to the table, to change Milwaukee,” said Mahaley.  

Davis also has extended family in the Milwaukee area.  

Aziz said that Milwaukee was a good area where he could work effectively.  

When asked about creating a better relationship with the community the candidates revealed their plans of how to do that.  

Mahaley said he would target young people for mentorship and athletics, heavily involve his captains and other staff in community activities and take advantage of social media.  

Aziz said he would work to create networks in order to overcome community issues.  

Davis said he would communicate with his staff everyday as well as converse with critics since critics can always bring a new perspective.  

Keeping officers motivated was another topic brought up in the meeting.  

All three candidates agreed that good mental health of all officers is extremely important to keeping them motivated.  

“The trick to making people think you care about them is to actually care about them,” said Davis.  

There will be another meeting where the candidates are asked more questions on Nov. 21.  

Sign up for the meeting is located at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5177030019380802827 . 

Aziz received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Dallas and is also an instructor in Criminal Justice Police Leadership at DeSales University.  

Aziz restarted the Police Athletic Activities League and was a finalist for the Dallas Police Department Chief in 2017.  

Davis graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and is currently completing his master’s degree there as well.  

He was a patrol officer in Tempe, AZ until he moved to Portland in 1998.  

In 2004, Davis was promoted to Sergeant and in 2010 he was promoted once again to Lieutenant.  

Davis created a neighborhood safety coalition that reduced violent crimes in Portland by 49 percent.  

Mahaley attended Rufus King High School, located in Milwaukee and played on the team’s 1984 State champion basketball team.  

The Pastors for a Better Milwaukee recently endorsed Mahaley as their choice for the position of Police Chief.  

The decision for police chief will be made by Dec. 3.