Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman has come under fire from community activists and residents for his participation in a six-day counterterrorism training program in Israel. A recent Fire and Police Commission meeting became the platform for over two hours of public grievances, where a range of concerns were leveled against the chief's decision. According to madison.com, activists criticized the trip for its timing amid the ongoing war in Gaza and its implications for local law enforcement.
Chief Norman, who attended the training sponsored by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) and the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), defended the trip in a statement. "I am honored to serve a diverse community—one that includes a wide range of perspectives," Norman said. He insisted the program was about sharing best practices to better prevent and respond to terrorism, thus enhancing community safety. However, critics questioned not only the timing of the trip but its financier, and whether community safety could truly be improved by closely engaging to learn tactics from a nation with a contentious human rights record, as noted by madison.com.
Angela Lang, head of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, expressed a strong sentiment at the commission meeting, stating, "For this police chief in this political climate when there’s a genocide happening right now, to go learn tactics to further oppress our communities, is shameful," as reported by FOX6 Now Milwaukee. Moreover, Fire and Police Commission member Krissie Fung publicly apologized to residents, calling the trip "unconscionable" and doubted whether the Milwaukee community would ever forgive the transgression.
Retired FBI Assistant Director Steven Pomerantz, leading the training program, maintained its apolitical nature, stating, "It’s all about law enforcement." He said the Israel national police shared invaluable experience in dealing with terrorism. The program supposedly aimed to facilitate information exchange and better analytical practices to thwart terrorist attacks, with Pomerantz adding that what Norman learned "makes the people of Milwaukee safer," according to FOX6 Now Milwaukee.
Yet, this perspective failed to assuage community worries. Emilio De Torre, Alan Chavoya, and others at the meeting condemned the decision. Activist Ihsan Atta even claimed the chief's trip represented "a moral and legal failure," as covered by Urban Milwaukee. Asserting alignment with a government accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the criticism went deeper than policy, calling into question the moral compass of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Despite the backlash, no public funds were reportedly used for the trip, and Chief Norman had notified the board, although there was some dispute about the completeness of that notification. As for Norman's response, the commitment to lifelong learning and taking community feedback seriously remained central themes, as he promised, "Your comments were heard and taken seriously," as per Urban Milwaukee.
