FLYNN INSTALLED AS CHIEF

Above: The program for the installation of Edward A. Flynn as Chief of the City of Milwaukee Police Department, autographed by District Attorney John Chisholm; Chief Flynn; Mayor Tom Barrett and Fire and Police Commission Chairman Leonard J. Sobczak. Collection of the Author

Special to the readers of Milwaukeeworld.com

By Michael Horne

He now walks among us. Shortly after 9 a.m. this morning, Monday, January 7th, 2008, Edward A. Flynn became the 17th individual to head the Milwaukee Police Department, established October 4th, 1855.* Chief Flynn's arrival was highly anticipated, and based on the pre-publicity, one might have expected him to have shown up for his City Hall inaugural by rappelling down from the bell tower, or by crawling through the city conduit system with a dagger clenched in his teeth.
But it was a foggy day, and apparently he merely descended from the clouds.
Flynn took his oath of office from Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission Executive Director Michael G. Tobin, in the Common Council Chambers at what was technically a Special Meeting of the commission. He was escorted into the chambers by Mayor Tom Barrett who led Flynn, his wife Susan, son Patrick and daughter-in-law Theresa (both officers of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department) into the filled hall. When it came time for the presentation of the badge, Barrett handed the insignia to Patrick Flynn, who pinned it, somewhat askew, on his father's chest. (The placement of the badge is the only crooked thing about Flynn, we can gather.) Then, father and son saluted each other. After this touching act, there wasn't a dry eye in the house, and if the council carpet is stained, it is with human tears.
The mayor told the audience, which included all but three of the members of the council, and numerous uniformed officials, that Flynn was "a cop's cop," and "was the best, most qualified person" of all the worthies who sought the seat, some of whom actually applied prior to the deadline for doing so.
For his own part, Flynn said he embraces change, which made him sound like a presidential candidate. He said, "being in favor of change is like being in favor of gravity." He said the important thing about change is "how do we respond to its inevitability."
He said he would place an emphasis on patrol and that the district stations will be the focus of his administration. He pledged to reduce the level crime, fear and disorder in the community, recognizing that the perception of crime, or the sense that it may be on the way, is as debilitating to a community as crime itself.
He added that he was "in a new political environment," and proved it by saying he would learn his way around "City Hall, the Statehouse and Washington, D.C." (Around these parts, we call it "the State Capitol.")
Flynn was dressed in a snappy uniform decorated with five stars on each of his shoulders. Sheriff David Clarke, also on hand, was in his dress uniform which only has four stars! (For now.)
Flynn's speech captivated his audience, it was clear, and he had the complete attention of the room throughout the proceedings. This is not a commonplace at the council, where Aldermanic attention is not always easily won. Flynn clearly commanded respect, and it will be interesting to see how his term progresses.
Although Flynn might not know it, yet as Milwaukeeans are painfully aware, he is already something rare among Milwaukee's police chiefs over the past few decades. For one thing, he is the first one who might be a fairly tolerable person to hang around with, just for fun and recreation. We know, he didn't become chief to become our friend, but it's nice to know he is apparently capable of that condition with somebody.
Frankly, our previous chiefs, full of character and integrity as they might have been, didn't seem to bring a whole lot to the party when it came to their off-duty personae. Former Chief Hegerty (no, no Nannette was not there) has probably already fled the city for her country home, never to return. Neither her predecessor Art Jones, nor Phillip Arreola before him had much in the way of personality, at least of the enjoyable sort, and Harold Breier was as thorny a personality as his name would imply. The only chief who seemed at least mildly personable (in a South Side beer-and-sausage way) was Robert Ziarnik, but he was testy, and quit the job early. But you never saw any of these individuals anywhere off-duty, yet you can't help but get the feeling that Chief and Mrs. Flynn might actually be sociable sorts, likely to turn up at gallery openings or theater productions. Let's hope.

* Flynn was called the 20th police chief during the ceremony, but according to this list of Milwaukee Police Chiefs, I reckon him to be only the 17th individual to serve as chief, since the first chief, Walter Beck, served three non-consecutive terms. Even so, that would make Flynn the 19th police chief.