Milwaukee Police Chief Faces Backlash Over Israel Training Seminar
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman recently drew sharp criticism for attending a counter-terrorism training seminar in Israel. This seminar took place during the first week of December, and sparked heated discussions at a public meeting held by the city’s Fire and Police Commission. Community members voiced their concerns, accusing him of learning tactics to “oppress the community.”
Angela Lang, president of the Black Leadership Organization for the Community, expressed her outrage: “In this current political climate of genocide, it is shameful that this police chief would go and learn tactics to further oppress our community.” Similarly, local resident Chrissy Huang said, “I think for many Milwaukeeans, this is something they can never tolerate.”
In response to the backlash, Norman issued a statement that did not include an apology for his trip. He acknowledged the concerns raised at the meeting, thanking those who shared their thoughts. He explained that he was invited to participate in the Israel Homeland Security Program, which is sponsored by the Jewish Institute for National Security Studies (JINSA) and the Metropolitan Mayors Association (MCCA). This program, established after the events of 9/11, focuses on exchanging best practices between U.S. law enforcement and leading counter-terrorism experts.
Norman emphasized that he viewed this experience as an opportunity to learn strategies for preventing and responding to terrorism, believing it would ultimately enhance the safety of the communities he serves. He reiterated his commitment to lifelong learning, acknowledging feedback from the community about his decision.
The seminar was conducted by former FBI Assistant Director Stephen Pomerantz, who noted that the training was not politically motivated. Pomerantz highlighted that the Israel National Police has a wealth of experience in counter-terrorism, stating, “The Israel National Police has more experience in combating terrorism than any other police agency in the world.” He expressed a willingness to share valuable lessons with American law enforcement.
