Monona’s first Black and openly gay police chief shares triumphs, challenges of his new role – Channel3000.com – WISC-TV3
MADISON, Wis. — Being sworn in on the first day of Pride month was a sign of progress for Monona’s new police chief Brian Chaney Austin.
As the city’s first Black and openly gay police chief, he said, “I recognize that this is not mission accomplished. I recognize the great amount of work that lies ahead but this is a step in the right direction.”
Chaney Austin grew up in Chicago and said he didn’t have many positive encounters with police officers during his youth. But, one officer changed his perspective on law enforcement.
“It wasn’t until I encountered a police officer who stopped me simply to say, ‘Hi.’ I was dumbfounded by that,” he said.
Chaney Austin said he wanted to be a positive reinforcement for others that being a police officer is a noble career path. That, coupled with the fact that he had never seen anyone like him in a leadership role in any police department. He wanted to show others that anything is possible.
“I don’t think I would have been here 20-30 years ago,” Chaney Austin said. “I want to do as much as I can to encourage good positive community engagement, to encourage healthy and diverse hiring practices.”
Chaney Austin formerly worked as a Captain of Police for the Madison Police Department for 19 years.
As Pride month comes to and end, and Chaney Austin completes his first 30 days, he is reminding the community that the celebration and push for equality for Black and LGBTQ+ folks isn’t over. He said members of the community have reminded him of that, too.
“There have been some folks who think I should be moving faster, moving more fiercely. Change takes time. I’ve been at this for a month and I think I have already incorporated some of my visions and ideas with respect to some of the changes I expect will be occurring, but it will take time.”
Chaney Austin said many of the challenges brought up by these community members, he knows firsthand from experience.
“It’s very much stereotyping me or placing me in different groups or segments or different facets of community without even know me, just based on my sexual orientation or the color of my skin,” he said.
Both are things he is prioritizing to address one day at a time.
“I promise you we will get there at some point but it will not be an overnight evolution,” he said.
Chaney Austin wanted to make his message clear that change does not rest on his shoulders alone.
He has an open door policy and said he wants community members to meet him personally to address any concerns they may have. He said he will also be out of his office and in the community as much as possible to do the same.
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