The Associated Press
Nan Hegerty is starting her first full week as the first female police chief for the Wisconsin’s largest city. It’s a position she never considered as a child, growing up when women weren’t on the police force - let alone leading it.
It’s a position she never considered as a child, when women weren’t on the police force -- let alone leading it.
“I always thought that would be a neat job but it couldn’t be at the time,” Hegerty, 53, told The Associated Press.
She’s now changed her thinking. She has worked her way through the ranks, becoming the city’s first captain, heading a U.S. Marshals Service district office and leading the police department’s sensitive crimes division before becoming the city’s 17th chief in charge of more than 2,000 officers. She was sworn in Tuesday.
Many of the rank-and-file have eagerly awaited the end to former Chief Arthur Jones’ seven-year term. Jones, who was the city’s first black chief, was a frequent target of criticism. He’s now running for mayor.
Lt. Eric Moore said Hegerty has him excited about the department’s prospects.
“I get the feeling already that an atmosphere of esprit de corps ... among the rank-and-file is awakening,” Moore said.
Moore, who is black, filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission this month against Jones alleging he was refused promotions because he associated with whites.
Jones publicly feuded with one-time backer Mayor John Norquist, local legislators on the budget, the police union over discrimination and retaliation and the fire and police commission on his crime-fighting plan.