Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman defended his $60,000 pay raise on Tuesday, saying that he works hard and earned the massive increase, but he refused to advocate for back pay for his officers, which has been a sticking point in settling contract negotiations, which have stalled for 2.5 years.

“I sometimes work, maybe 12 to 14 hours. Work Saturday and Sundays. I’m actually really never off. And so it is important to understand that no one has given me anything free. The work that I do is earned,” said Norman, who would not commit to forgoing his raise until his officers get raises of their own.

Rank-and-file Milwaukee police officers have not received pay raises for 2.5 years despite a recruiting and retention crisis, and even though they already earn less than some suburban departments. Norman’s pay is set to increase from $183,000 to $243,000. He made $177,112 a year ago. The latter is more than a $65,000 raise from what Norman earned just a year ago.

Norman made the comments at a Milwaukee Press Club/Wispolitics.com panel discussion at the Newsroom Pub. The panel included Milwaukee journalist Jessica McBride, David Clarey of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Jenna Rae of WTMJ-TV.

In 2021, the Police Executive Research Forum found that chiefs in the Midwest earned an average $141,308, the least of any region. “Chiefs who lead agencies of 1,000 or more full-time employees earned, on average, $232,380 a year in 2021” nationwide, PERF found. Thus, Norman’s new pay isn’t out of line with other big-city chiefs. But it’s the timing that has upset many officers. Norman’s pay raise has enraged many officers because they still do not have a contract and are being asked to go without, while performing exceptionally dangerous jobs. And some are wondering why it took so long for him to speak out on their stalled contract.

Read a full transcript of Norman’s appearance with audio here.

“I would say the number one thing the officers told me they want to know from you, it’s a little more sensitive – your raise,” McBride asked Norman. “You received a $65,000 approximate raise, bringing your salary to $243,000 while your officers have gone without a raise for about 2.5 years. Why did you accept the raise while your officers go without and will you suspend your raise when it starts until they get one? Secondly, when it comes to their stalled contract negotiations, do you support the city giving your officers back pay?”

The city and Milwaukee Police Union have gone to arbitration over the stalled contract. The city proposed a 5% raise for 2023 but no back pay for that year, according to documents obtained by WRN. In 2024, and 2025, the city would pay backpay but wants to lower the raises to two staggered 1% raises in each of those years.

The union wants all raises to be retroactive and is seeking two 2.25% raises for each of 2023 and 2024 and 3.75% for 2025.

Chief Norman Responds: ‘I Sometimes Work Maybe 12 to 14 Hours’

Norman responded: “So in regards to my raise, I think that’s more of a matter of, do I earn that? That’s a matter of no one I recall, in regards to had an issue about me being which, for you know, other major city Chiefs being underpaid. I look at it from a standpoint that if there wasn’t the level of work and involvement, my credentials, the accomplishments, I believe I earned that. And it is important to look at from a standpoint that, you know, my days are not just five days a week, nine to five.”

He continued: “I sometimes work, maybe 12 to 14 hours. Work Saturday and Sundays. I’m actually really never off. And so it is important to understand that no one has given me anything free. The work that I do is earned, and I am very proud in regards to being able to again, earn the trust, to be able to have that type of, you know, compensation for the work that is being done and accomplished, and the trust in regards to the leadership that I bring to the Milwaukee Police Department.”

Chief Norman Said He Wants the City to ‘Get This Particular Contract Done,’ But Dodged the Back Pay Question

What did Norman say about the officers’ contract?

“In regards to the officers, I’ve made a statement in regards to that I am supportive of getting this particular contract done, I’ve made my comments to the mayor, and look from the standpoint that now it’s in the hand between the union and the mayor, in regards to what are the next steps, I do understand that, you know, those negotiations are solely to between those two,” said Norman.

“My part in this is to be supportive that our officers are compensated. I see the work that they do. I understand the type of sacrifice, especially as recently as our fallen officer, you know, Officer Corder, and that I would love to see this resolved so that basically, we can continue to look at what we need to do more in regards to work in our community.”

Jessica McBride Asked the 2 Questions Again

“But will you forego your raise?” she said. “I think the issue isn’t, I don’t think they’re saying that you don’t, didn’t deserve it. I think they’re saying the optics. It’s reducing their morale that you’re taking it when they’re going without. Will you forego your raise until they get one and secondly, do you support back pay? Yes or no.”

Norman responded: “So the first thing is, is that, again, the raise was bestowed upon me through the Fire and Police Commission. This is something where I said, like I said, that I believe I earned, and in regards to their contract, I’ve said what I said in regards to the statement, and that basically I support that they get their particular contracts resolved between the two negotiating parties, which is the union and the mayor’s office.”

Chief Norman Was Asked a 3rd Time About Back Pay for Officers

McBride asked a third time: “So you specifically won’t commit to them, to saying that they should get the back pay, because my understanding is that’s where the negotiations are breaking down. You won’t commit to that, to saying that?”

“I answered your question, Jessica,” said Norman.

In his previous written statement on the contract, Norman wrote, “There are no words to express my personal gratitude for their daily sacrifices as I know that this calling is no easy task. It is an honor and a privilege to lead our members of MPD, and I believe their steadfast service warrants just compensation. I support a swift and fair resolution to the ongoing negotiations between the City and the members of MPD.”

The Milwaukee Police Association has slammed the city for the stalled contract.