MILWAUKEE, Wis. – During a Milwaukee Press Club Newsmakers Luncheon event in November of 2025, Director of the City’s then-Office of Community Wellness and Safety Adam Procell alluded to a potential change coming to the office.
The Common Council was making a push to convert the office to an official City department, giving them more input on any appointments made by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
“If they don’t like me, if they don’t like what I’ve done, in a couple weeks I theoretically couldn’t have a job” said Procell at the time.
Just over two months later, that department is now looking for yet another person to lead it.
Procell formally tendered his resignation from the director position January 29, following an opinion by the City Attorney’s office that, per Article 13 of the Wisconsin constitution, a convicted felon cannot hold the position.
“It’s been a difficult 24 hours to say the least…It’s not lost on me that that moment, as a 15 year old, gave the mayor the thought that I can contribute in a positive way, knowing that that same moment has now come back 30 years later to prohibit me from contributing in the way that I think we all would like,” said an obviously emotional Procell at a press conference January 30.
Procell’s appointment was criticized by many, both for his 1996 homicide conviction in the gang-related shooting death of Robert Bruce, as well as the fact that he was not one of the three finalists who went through a public hearing process.
“I cannot in good conscience allow my employment to be the reason the department reverses course,” Procell wrote in his resignation letter obtained by WTMJ. “In addition, the growing number of people outside of City government who are now aware of this issue has made it increasingly difficult to demonstrate stability in the systems change approach we have been advancing.”
PREVIOIUS COVERAGE: Milwaukee Office of Community Wellness and Safety Director speaks on selection process, possible office changes
WTMJ’s Adam Roberts (left) speaks with Director of the Milwaukee Office of Community Wellness and Safety Adam Procell (right) at a Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon. November 10, 2025. Image Credit: Alex Mazurek
In the days after Procell’s appointment was made public in August of 2025, several members of the Common Council questioned the process, with Alderman Scott Spiker later introducing legislation that would make the Council more involved. That legislation moved through the Common Council as part of the new City budget, then vetoed by Mayor Johnson, before that veto was ultimately overridden by the council.
“The change wasn’t over one person or one personality or even the flawed process that led to his appointment. It was about future councils, future mayors, and there being a check on that unilateral power,” Spiker told WTMJ January 30, adding he was made aware of Procell’s resignation through the mayor’s office on Thursday.
At the press conference announcing Procell’s resignation, Mayor Johnson and other city leaders expressed frustration at that legislation, as well as the factors leading to Procell’s departure.
It’s a bit ironic to me that somebody could be the President of the United States of America…and have felonies. But somebody who has a felony conviction could not lead a department in his own community, working to prevent issues that harm folks in our community. The irony, I think, is pretty astounding,” said Johnson.
“The City of Milwaukee is losing something today, and it is losing something so great that we don’t even know the damage that’s going to be caused by this. Adam is irreplaceable,” added Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, who called Procell a friend.
Former interim head of the department and one of the original three finalists to lead it last year Karin Tyler will lead the department in the interim; Mayor Johnson’s spokesperson Jeff Fleming referred to her role as “steering the ship”. Per the Common Council ordinance, that body will need to confirm the person chosen to fill the role on a permanent basis.
Director of the Milwaukee Office of Community Wellness and Safety Adam Procell speaks during a town hall event at the Washington Park Senior Center. October 2nd, 2025. Image Credit: Adam Roberts
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