For The Sake Of Aaron
Celebrating Our Black Men
"Men for All Seasons" by Charles Bibbs
Sheriff David Clarke
County’s top law enforcement officer says dad inspired him to protect and serve others
Sheriff David Clarke
by Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo
Next week’s Primary Election Ballot will list the name of David Clarke for the office of Sheriff of Milwaukee County. But behind the title, there is a man. Who is David Clarke?
As we begin our Best of the Best series for 2006-07, we will focus on men who exemplify the qualities of strength-building for the African American community. What better place to begin than with a man who leads the force that oversees our highways? Yes, and those men and women who perform various duties mandated by the laws.
David Clarke has been a career law enforcement officer for more than 29 years. The idea of law enforcement, as a profession, he believes came from his father who unknowingly planted the seed during his teenage years.
"My Dad wanted to be a policeman, but could not meet the requirements because he did not have 20/20 vision, without corrective lens. That was a mandate at the time that he wanted to apply," Sheriff Clarke shared.
While children often do the exact opposite of what their parents suggest, David Clarke found that he liked the idea. He began a career path that included 24 years in the Milwaukee Police Department, leading from police recruit to captain, and all of the promotions entailed in the climb up the law enforcement ladder.
Of course, the ascent from recruit to captain to sheriff required study, multiple duties and continuous support from colleagues and people within the community. "I have studied continuously," the Sheriff continued.
"There have been many classes and graduation from Concordia University, but there have also been those offered by the Police Department as I have sought new promotions, and courses of study in Washington, with the Secret Service, the FBI, the Protective Service Divisions and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco.
"These courses have come over the period of the 29 years, but the point I want to make, to young people, is that it starts first with setting goals. I have loved every minute of service, study, community interaction, and accomplishments because each represented a goal, a dream," Sheriff Clarke revealed.
"Often our dreams change, but setting goals and reaching, working, even sacrificing to accomplish them, provides a track with which people can plan a future," he continued. "And, it is the future, that excites me the most. The future propelled me to continue in law enforcement."
Clarke went from uniform officer to investigator; then he was promoted to detective. It was in his role as Homicide Detective that he became familiar with the case of Cheryl Robinson, daughter of Jeannetta Robinson.
"In that position I was able to work directly with families. There was always empathy for the families. We wanted to bring closure, peace of mind. And I so respected how the Robinson family began the Support Group for Victims of Homicide," Sheriff Clarke recalled. "And, I know it is still hard for families!"
An interest in management led to classes in leadership supervision, and a promotion to lieutenant in 1993, thrusting Commanding Officer Clarke into a totally new culture. Before, he followed the directives, now he was responsible for leading and guiding other officers. From people problems, there is direct contact, face to face opportunities, management focuses on the workplace, the officers under your service, the mission of the entire team.
Yet, the transition was accomplished, for he was promoted in 1997 to captain. "Now, you are the commander, which required additional education and new leadership skills. I was removed from the front line. Clearly, the ‘big picture’ was my concentration," he shared.
It was during this period, after more training at the FBI Academy that Sheriff Clarke began to create a series of blueprint documents he thought could enhance the Police Department. He set a new goal, that of becoming chief of the Police Department.
Of course, he had no idea of when these thoughts might have an opportunity to be tested. But goal setters think always of the future, and Sheriff Clarke certainly dreamed of improvements. Improvements that had been tried at other departments learned during his training sessions in D.C.
One morning, then Captain Clarke read an announcement that former Governor Scott McCallum was accepting applications for sheriff. The previous sheriff retired early. "I had only met former Sheriff Richard Artison in passing. I had never considered an elected position in law enforcement but I did prepare to lead an agency one day and I had some ideas," Clarke revealed.
A panel of six people interviewed candidate Clarke. "I took along my ‘blueprint,’ which I tweaked a little. When they heard my ideas, they thought, ‘this guy has a plan.’ But, I had no political connections," the Sheriff quickly admitted. "And so much of the sheriff’s job is having connections, along with a plan," he confided.
The panel and the governor were impressed with David Clarke. Eleven people applied for the position. But then Governor McCallum wanted someone with vision.
"He told me, upon my appointment: ‘I want you to transform that organization. I want change.’" That was year 2000! And change has been the Sheriff’s daily focus.
Typically, with change, there is often resistance. And, typically with resistance, you make a few discontents. But the Sheriff successfully won countywide election, five months after his appointment in 2000. And, he moves daily to make his blueprint work.
In conversations with a lot of people who have watched Sheriff Clarke throughout his tenure, most believe that he is making a difference. He has assembled a committed staff of professionals, which is a critical component in any change process. "I have a team that I can trust," he beamed.
"The jail is a big part of what I do," he said. "Finding the people, learning the organization was not an easy task, but we are making major changes."
Overcrowding has been a major problem, which the Sheriff inherited. The National Institute of Corrections mandates that if a facility is 80% full, you are overcrowded because you no longer have flexibility in the proper area for inmate services.
"The jail was built with 1,100 beds, there were 1,100 people in the jail, the first day I walked into it. I do not put the people in jail, but I am committed to separate the people who need help and all of the services that ensure the public’s safety from those who have minor infractions and are not a threat to the community," he emphasized.
The Sheriff is now working step by step to meet the standards that give accreditation. He expects to have met all of the requirements for accreditation status by mid-2007. Retraining of staff and changing the culture of the jail are the critical components of meeting the standards.
"The jail is a dynamic entity," the Sheriff shares. "It is not what people think that it is. We have to medically clear, screen and process each person.
"We have the responsibility of determining if there are mental issues, drug issues, communicable diseases, immediate health needs, all of that before they ever reach a pod. We have an outstanding medical team, mental health team, nursing team."
Continuing, he shared, "We are not going to keep a single person who should be getting outreach services. We have begun a top notch Day Reporting Center. That center services nonviolent people who are not a threat. For example, people picked up for tickets should never have to remain in the jail."
And, the Sheriff stressed, "I do not make the laws. My job is to enforce them. I try to service, within the mandate of the law, while ensuring that everyone has the full protection of the law. Under my watch, over 125 people are participating in the Day Reporting Center."
Some of the services at the Day Reporting Center include: GED programs and all participants must come to class or otherwise they are in noncompliance. It also has a Drug Rehabilitation tier. "This program has been very successful, the Sheriff beamed. People can go before the judge and state how they are making changes, for some it is now a job, or classes for their GED, or rehabilitation classes that help them learn resistant processes."
Funding of alternative programs is a constant challenge. And, the Sheriff has had to fight to keep these funds. Its value is unquestioned as the success rate for participants continue to improve. As they continue tracking the benefits, they have found that more than 70% have not re-offended.
The Community Liaison Division is another Sheriff Clarke initiative that brings the officers into the community. "I have insisted that we connect with the community. It has enhanced relations within the department and within the community. Each has a better understanding and a new-found respect," he related.
Last but not least, Sheriff Clarke has worked successfully for budget control. Deficits were chronic and the County Board of Supervisors mandated he had to live within his budget. While a formidable task, he accomplished the mandate by reducing overtime significantly. He reduced overtime by more than l65,000 hours, which represents approximately $6.4 million savings for the county.
Additionally, top administration was reduced from 22 to l5, which netted $1.5 million in savings. These changes came after careful scrutiny of what had traditionally been done to what now needed to be done. Of course, the changes offended some, but most have been able to see the merit of efficiency and being more flexible.
New functions have included the Identity Theft Bureau and the Internet Crime Division. The officers and the public have seen the importance of these new areas. "We all are a part of the Performance Management Initiative," Sheriff Clarke shared.
David Clarke, a career law enforcer, has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management from Concordia University. In addition, years of continuing education courses have been tandem with each promotion quest. We applaud you and congratulate you!
We commend your example of persistence, fortitude and always seeking the dream and a new future. We believe that you represent the qualities that motivate other young men and women who consider law enforcement as career aspirations.
We note your role models, including your father, David A. Clarke Sr.; General Colin Powell; Brother Bob Smith; Ulice Payne, Dr. Ben Carson, Jr.; Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Marquette University Coach Tom Crean, among others.
You, Sheriff David Clarke, believe that "Every kid has greatness. We just have to bring it to the surface. For too many, it lies dormant." Your life brings alive not just the dream but the steps it continues to take to realize dreams. We acknowledge you, Sheriff David Clarke as the "Best of the Best." And your example corresponds to the qualities identified for the "For the Sake of Aaron: Celebrating Our Men" series. You are the Best of the Best!
