One of the four finalists for Madison’s next chief of police is the deputy chief in war-torn Portland, Oregon. Do you blame him for trying to get out? Is Madison the fire or the frying pan?  He is Chris Davis, who has been on Portland police force for 22 years. 

Davis, BTW, is still in play for chief of Milwaukee PD. Their PFC voted for two of his competitors. Because it was a tie vote, Davis’ candidacy remains in play. (More here.)

The four finalists named by Madison’s Police & Fire Commission are (as described by the PFC):

• Dr. Shon F. Barnes is a nationally recognized leader in crime reduction and community- police relations. He is currently the Director of Training and Professional Development for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability in Chicago, Illinois. Barnes was most recently the Deputy Chief of Police in Salisbury, North Carolina (2017-2020) and a Captain with the Greensboro Police Department (NC) where he began his career as a patrol officer in the fall of 2000. Barnes was honored as a National Institute of Justice LEADS Scholar for using innovative technology to reduce crime and was recently selected as a member of the National Police Foundation’s Council on Policing Reforms and Race.

• Ramon Batista began his law enforcement career with the Tucson Police Department in 1986, working his way through the ranks in patrol, traffic division, police academy, public information, investigations, patrol captain, SWAT/Hostage commander, chief of staff, investigations bureau chief and chief of the patrol bureau. Ramon was appointed as the police chief of the Mesa, AZ police department in 2017 where he was recognized for his leadership in forging stronger bonds between the police and citizens; collaborating with community and department members in the creation of new policies and procedures. Ramon is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Police Executive Research Forum, the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force, the American Society of Evidence Based Policing and he is fellow at the National Police Foundation; Ramon holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety/Homeland Security and Master of Science degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Ramon’s experience led him to co-author “Do No Harm” a book on inspiring a cultural shift within law enforcement organizations where members feel informed, guided and empowered to act in alignment with community and organizational values as their foundation.
• Larry Scirotto, a retired assistant chief in Pittsburgh PA., 23 year police veteran. He became inspired to be a police officer after seeing childhood friends become victims of street violence, all with the hope of making his community a safer place to live. Asst. Chief Scirotto’s true inspiration was his mother who passed away early into his career, but always encouraged him to care for others, be accountable and never compromise his character. Asst. Chief Scirotto is an accomplished and highly dedicated law enforcement executive with more than 25 years of experience and was the youngest Assistant Chief in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police history. He has 14 years of management and executive leadership with the Bureau. He began his executive leadership role as the commander of the Zone 3, the city’s most known entertainment district, then was tasked with leading the Bureau’s Major Crimes Division which included all violent crimes against persons. Asst. Chief Scirotto then ascended to lead the Professional Standards Branch which was responsible for Training & Education, Officer Wellness & Safety, and Policy & Oversight. Asst. Chief Scirotto earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Ashworth University in Criminal Justice and will earn a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University in December 2020. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command. Asst. Chief Scirotto referee’s Men’s Collegiate Basketball for the Big Ten & Pac12 Conferences.

• Chris Davis currently serves as the Deputy Chief for the Portland Police Bureau, and has been a member of the Bureau’s executive team since 2016. Deputy Chief Davis was appointed to the Portland Police Bureau on November 19, 1998, after previously working as a police officer for the Arizona State University Police Department. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s Police Executive Leadership Institute, and is nearing completion of his Master’s Degree in Public Safety Leadership and Administration from ASU.

The PFC will be holding a Special Meeting on December 9, 2020, at 5:30 P.M., to discuss and deliberate on the final candidates. 

Davis at front lines in Portland 

Not to queer his chances, but a quick look shows Davis as promising. The Wisconsin Examiner reported that Davis was at the helm of Portland’s operational policing during the 100 days of rage. Portland TV news quoted Davis to say: 

“There is a right way to get to social change. The violence has nothing to do with change, it’s just violence,” said Davis.

Deputy Chief Chris Davis: ‘Accepting this as normal and trying to
counteract this night after night is not the solution.’