‘We have to work together’: Brunson sworn in as new acting Milwaukee Police Chief [VIDEO]

Watch below:

Less than 24 hours after the demotion of then-Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales to the role of captain, Michael Brunson has officially become acting chief.

During a swearing-in ceremony at City Hall, Brunson renewed a call for not just better relationships, but collaboration between Milwaukee residents and the police department after both an increase in violent crime this year and increased calls for revamping law enforcement nationwide.

“My vision has always been that there has got to be a relationship, dialogue between the police department and the community,” said Brunson. “It’s got to be continuous. There is going to be hiccups in the road. There are going to be issues at times that occur.”

“As an agency, we have to work together. The men and women of the Milwaukee Police Department care about this community. I deeply care about this community.”

Both Acting Chief Brunson and Mayor Tom Barrett spoke about what they consider a required need for healing.

“There is a lot of animus…but we have to work together to make things better,” added Brunson. “It’s a must. We’re not going anywhere. We’re here. The community is here. We have to live together, work together collectively, or we all fall and fail.”

“The police are here to stay; the community is here to stay, Mayor Barrett said. “We will always have the police. We will always have the community. It’s like a marriage. We have to work together.”