After a grueling selection process spanning over half a year, Mayor Cieslewicz's Board of Police and Fire Commissioners appointed Noble Wray as Madison's Chief of Police Thursday evening.
Wray was chosen over Madison Police Capt. Cheri Maples and Sgt. Michael Koval, and according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, the decision was effective immediately. Verveer added neither the mayor nor the City Council must approve the choice.
\I definitely think that it's fair to say that he was considered the favorite,"" Verveer commented.
Mayoral spokesperson Melanie Conklin expressed relief over the completed process, saying the superior qualifications of the applicants forced careful deliberation.
""This was a very long awaited decision, and we're very glad to have it [finalized],"" Conklin said. She added from early on the decision was said to limit the pool to the internal candidates who applied. She said specific knowledge of the city, its culture and the policing ethics of Madison were valued by the PFC, deeming a national search unnecessary.
Conklin stressed the importance of the position to the city. ""The mayor understands that this is a decision that will probably impact our community for a decade or more,"" she said.
In a press release, Cieslewicz said he has had an excellent working relationship with Wray. He added Wray will work well with both the Madison community and the police department.
Wray's selection comes eight days before the highly anticipated Halloween weekend, an event that will no doubt test the new administration. However, Conklin was confident in Wray's ability to manage the festivities.
""I don't think we were too worried about Halloween, because Noble has been intimately involved in the planning, even before Chief Williams left,"" she said.
Wray, serving as acting police chief following Williams's departure, was greeted by former UW-Madison student Audrey Seiler's disappearance and has experience dealing with issues receiving national attention.
Verveer acknowledged Wray's involvement with high-profile events will calm anxieties resulting from the Halloween activities.
""He clearly knows the ins and outs of the event, and I think [it is] certainly lucky for all of us that we do finally have a permanent chief,"" he said. ""This albatross is removed from Noble's neck, and he can make decisions with the clear power knowing that he is the chief.""
-Maureen Backman contributed to this report.
