Milwaukee Loses Violence Prevention Leader Due to State Constitution

Mayor, fire chief express disappointment over resignation of Adam Procell, head of the Office of Community Wellness and Safety

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:47pm

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Adam Procell, the head of Milwaukee's Office of Community Wellness and Safety, has resigned from his position after just over five months on the job. The decision is tied to a provision in the Wisconsin State Constitution that bars those convicted of a felony from holding office. Procell was convicted of a gang-related homicide in 1996 when he was 15 years old. Despite the city's efforts to keep him in the role, the constitutional provision took effect when the city's budget went into effect on January 1, making Procell's leadership illegal.

Why it matters

Procell's resignation is a setback for Milwaukee's efforts to address violent crime, which had declined by over 20% since he took office. Procell's personal experience and insights were seen as valuable assets in bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement. The case highlights the challenges of criminal justice reform and the lasting impact of past convictions, even for those who have worked to redeem themselves.

The details

Procell was appointed to lead the Office of Community Wellness and Safety last summer, but his criminal record did not become an issue until November when the city council voted to make the office a standalone department rather than a division within the Department of Administration. This change triggered the state constitutional provision barring felons from holding office. Despite the mayor's efforts to find a way around the law, the city attorney ultimately concluded that Procell could not legally continue as department head.

  • Procell was convicted of a gang-related homicide in 1996 at the age of 15.
  • Procell was appointed to lead the Office of Community Wellness and Safety in the summer of 2025.
  • In November 2025, the Milwaukee Common Council voted to make the Office of Community Wellness and Safety a standalone department.
  • Procell's resignation is expected to become official on February 11, 2026, two weeks after he submitted his resignation on January 30, 2026.

The players

Adam Procell

The former head of the Office of Community Wellness and Safety in Milwaukee, who has resigned from his position due to a provision in the Wisconsin State Constitution barring those convicted of a felony from holding office. Procell was convicted of a gang-related homicide in 1996 when he was 15 years old.

Cavalier Johnson

The mayor of Milwaukee, who expressed disappointment and frustration over Procell's resignation, noting that serious crime had declined by over 20% during Procell's time in office.

Evan Goyke

The city attorney of Milwaukee, who concluded that Procell could not legally continue as the head of the Office of Community Wellness and Safety due to the state constitutional provision.

Karin Tyler

The interim director of the Office of Community Wellness and Safety, who will take over the department after Procell's exit.

Aaron Lipski

The Milwaukee Fire Department Chief, who spoke in support of Procell and called his resignation an "enormous disappointment" and said Procell is "irreplaceable."

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What they’re saying

“To say I'm disappointed does not even begin to describe the frustration that I have. In the time that Adam has been with us over these last several months, serious crime is down more than 20%.”

— Cavalier Johnson, Mayor of Milwaukee

“This isn't 18th-century France, right? But he still has to bear the weight, and he has to carry his ticket of leave — his parole card — now for the rest of his life. And if we want to talk about something that needs to be changed, we need to talk about state law and perhaps the criminal justice system.”

— Aaron Lipski, Milwaukee Fire Department Chief

“I hope I've led with grace and humility and showed that, yes, those who have made mistakes, who have spent an inordinate amount of time outside of society, can contribute, if given the chance. I hope my actions have proven that.”

— Adam Procell

What’s next

The mayor has explored the possibility of a pardon for Procell, which could allow him to continue in the role, but has been unsuccessful. The Common Council, which voted to make the Office of Community Wellness and Safety a standalone department, could potentially reconsider its decision, but the mayor deferred that question to the council member who introduced the amendment.

The takeaway

Procell's resignation highlights the ongoing challenges of criminal justice reform and the lasting impact of past convictions, even for those who have worked to redeem themselves. The case underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to evaluating the qualifications of public officials, one that considers the full context of an individual's life and experiences rather than relying solely on a criminal record.