Kenosha police chief stepping down to be city administrator

Kenosha is getting a new city administrator. You might know him. Police Chief Patrick Patton will be stepping down from his current position to take up the role. Our Racine Kenosha County reporter, Ben Hanson, talked with the chief, the current city administrator, and Kenosha's mayor, asking how the decision was made and Patton's goals in the role. I've been involved in city government for 18 years now, and I've seen a number of city administrators. I can't remember one that was unanimously approved. Monday, the Common Council unanimously confirmed Patrick Patton, the current Kenosha Police Chief, as the new city administrator. Appointed by Kenosha Mayor David Bugdalla. But I think most importantly, the way he conducts himself and he cares about this community so much. Patton has served as police chief for four years and the Kenosha Police Department for 21. And if you're really invested in this community, you really understand the need and the importance of the role that John has fulfilled for so long. And I needed someone that was going to step up, support the mayor, support the city, and keep it going. And the more and more I learned from John, the more and more interested I became in it. John Morrissey has been city administrator for six years, saying he is stepping down because of his age. Well, I think the biggest challenge now going forward is making sure that whatever knowledge I have, I can give to Pat. Morrissey announced his retirement in July. The search for his replacement began immediately, and Bugdalla announced Patton as his appointment last Wednesday. Bugdalla, Morrissey, and the city's HR director had interviews with the finalists for the job based on recommendations from an outside panel. I'm going to spend a lot of time focusing on learning from other department heads, making sure I'm meeting their needs to make sure that they're putting out the best possible service they can to the entire community. In Kenosha, Ben Hanson, Fox 6 News. Patton will become the city administrator on January 1, 2027, and Kenosha's deputy. The police chief will serve as interim for up to a year during the search for Patton's replacement, and the decision will be made by the Police and Fire Commission.