MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson is naming his next pick to lead the City’s Department of Community Wellness and Safety, about two weeks after the former department head submitted their sudden resignation. And the new leader is a name very familiar with the department’s operations.
Tyler’ selection by Mayor Johnson was announced February 10. Tyler was a finalist for the Community Wellness and Safety director’s position six months ago, but she and other finalists were ultimately looked over by the Mayor in favor of Adam Procell, who resigned from the post January 30 as the City acknowledged that due to his status as a convicted felon, he could not hold a position of public trust.
“For the better part of a decade, Karin Tyler has worked with the city’s violence prevention activities. She has skillfully managed many initiatives and issues during her time there, and she earned the respect of her colleagues,” said Mayor Johnson in a news release. “Karin has led the department through successful transitions, and she has my strong support.”
Tyler began working in the Milwaukee Health Department in 2008 before formally joining the then-Office of Violence Prevention in 2017. Tyler received regular promotions including serving as Interim Director of the office for most of last year.
Karin Tyler was among two other finalists to speak at two public forums, unlike Procell, during which the Mayor noted “she impressed community leaders with her knowledge and approach to the job”. She had been “steering the boat”, as Mayor Johnson’s spokesperson Jeff Fleming put it, since Procell’s resignation.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Milwaukee Community Wellness and Safety Director tenders resignation
Procell’s departure came after the Common Council directed that the then-Office of Community Wellness and Safety become a standalone department, making its leaders subject to Council approval. That legislation, authored by Alderman Scott Spiker, moved through the Common Council as part of the new City budget, then was 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.
Tyler’s name was submitted by the Mayor for Council approval February 10.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to hear from Tyler at a community town hall meeting on February 19 at The Missing Peace – Community Collective (3248 W. Brown Street) beginning at 6:00p.m.
