GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — Chris Davis will become Green Bay’s Police Chief at some point later this year. Davis is a Deputy Chief with the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon.
In his 27 year long career, Davis says he’s been through a lot. It’s that breadth and depth that the Police and Fire Commission cited when asked why they hired him.
“I can see even from the outside that Green Bay has a really strong police department,” Davis said Friday. “It’s got a good relationship with its community.”
The Portland Police Bureau has not been without controversy of the last year. Portland dealt with rioting and scandal last year that made national headlines and prompted a wave of resignations in the department. Davis says the experience left a mark.
“I certainly learned a lot from the experience and I think I learned a lot of things that I can apply in other places,” Davis told WTAQ. “[That includes] a lot of things to avoid. No one wants to go through some of the things that we went through.”
Davis beat out three other candidates to get the job. Two of those candidates–Police Captain Ben Allen and Police Commander Kevin Warych–were internal candidates already working at the Green Bay Police Department. Davis says he’s reaching out to both men and says their applications mean they’re dedicated to the department.
“If you put in for a for a police chief’s job, you’re putting it out there,” said Davis. “You’re taking a risk. I commend both of them for taking that on.”
Davis will take the place of former Police Chief Andrew Smith, who left the department in May to retire after five years at the head of the department. Davis says he’s looking forward to the challenge and intends to stay in Green Bay long-term.
“The next few months are going to be whirlwind,” Davis said. “Now we’re getting ready to to move across the country, but we couldn’t be happier, and were looking forward to coming to Green Bay.”
Davis grew up in Central Ohio, but the move to Green Bay is a homecoming of sorts–his wife, Ann, is from Kaukauna.
“She went to school and St. Norbert,” Davis said. “She’s a Packers shareholder.”
The Police and Fire Commission is still hammering out the details as to when Davis will start as Chief. Former Police Commander Jim Runge has been serving as interim Chief in the meantime.
You can listen to WTAQ’s full interview with Davis HERE:
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