City of Kenosha Administration’s Request To Honor Police Chief By Changing His Title Is Well-Deserved: Opinion

Copied!
Kenosha Police Chief Eric Larsen
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Since May 1, 2021, Eric Larsen has been in charge of the Kenosha Police Department. On that day, he was appointed by Kenosha’s Police and Fire Commission as “Interim Police Chief.” This publication has always referred to him as simply, “Chief.” Hired in 1994, Larsen has held virtually all ranks in the department over his almost 30-year career. I asked the Chief several months ago how he felt about title of Interim Chief. “I love my job and the title isn’t important to me.” Larsen told me. “My entire time at KPD, my title has changed many times, but the one thing that’s never changed is my name. I’m Eric.”

Paid Advertisement
Former Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis (2016 to 2021)
(kenosha.org)

I spoke with Larsen’s predecessor, Chief Daniel Miskinis who told me he is enjoying his retirement. “I whole-hardheartedly support this measure,” said Miskinis who promoted Larsen to Deputy Chief in 2016. “Chief Larsen has functioned with all the rights and responsibilities of the role and he deserves it.”

Paid Advertisement
Kenosha City Administrator and Former Police Chief John Morrissey (2008-2016)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

I spoke with Kenosha’s City Administrator and former Police Chief John Morrissey today. He asked the Mayor to make the title change request to the Police and Fire Commission. “I believe Eric has stepped up drastically with steadfast leadership following the riots when we needed a strong leader. He should be able to be known as the ‘Police Chief’ and not ‘Interim Chief.’ He truly is the Police Chief and has went above and beyond for this City,” said Morrissey.

Paid Advertisement
Former Kenosha Police Chief Dan Wade (1997-2008)
(Submitted)

I spoke to previous Chief Daniel Wade. “Eric is a great cop. I don’t know why he decided to be Chief after knowing what comes with it!” Wade said jokingly. “I support the change”

Paid Advertisement

If the Police and Fire Commission approves this change, which it is expected to, it will be retro-active to his appointment to top cop on May 1, 2021. It has no fiscal implications.

Paid Advertisement
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian
(File photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

I spoke with Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian today who told me he was incredibly grateful for Chief Larsen’s willingness to delay his retirement by a year. “Eric did a tremendous job leading our police officers when we needed him the most. I can’t say enough good things about him. I hope he enjoys his upcoming, deserved retirement.”

Paid Advertisement
KPPA President and long-time Detective, Pete Deats

KPPA President Pete Deates said Larsen definitely deserves to have the ‘Interim’ title removed. “There is nothing interim about Eric. He’s been a staple in this department and community for the last three decades. He’s been a very fair Chief that everybody respects. In my role as the President of the police association I’ve had countless interactions with Eric and the previous chiefs. Eric continued the tradition of selfless leadership for the betterment of our community and safety of our neighbors. He always supported us and had our backs as long as we were acting in accordance with his expectations.”

Paid Advertisement
Chief Eric Larsen
File photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye

I spoke to Chief Larsen today who reiterated what he told me months ago. The title isn’t important to him, but he said he is very grateful for the gesture. Larsen is an adjunct professor and planned to retire on December 31, 2021, but agreed to continue for another year at the request of City Hall. He wasn’t able to teach as much as he wanted because he answered a call for help and put his future plans on hold.

Paid Advertisement

The three previous Chiefs support this and so do I. My wife Nikki actually rented a home from Larsen when I met her. “He was a great landlord and very friendly. He would take care of the grass and snow so my roommate and I didn’t have to. For what its worth, I want him to have this title also.” Larsen has been transparent with KCE, always answering questions, even the tough ones. He took criticism respectfully and did a good job leading a large department. Thank you for your service Chief Larsen. The Police and Fire Commission will vote on this Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 9am. KCE will be there. The public is always able to attend theses meetings.

-KM

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS

Fired Kenosha Teacher Pleads Guilty to 15 Counts of Disorderly Conduct in Grooming Case

Kenosha, Wis. — Former Kenosha Unified School District teacher Christian J. Enwright pleaded guilty Friday morning to 15 counts of disorderly conduct, admitting in court to engaging in a months-long Snapchat-based grooming campaign targeting a 13-year-old student. The student, referred to in Kenosha County Eye reporting by the pseudonym Holly, sat in the courtroom with her parents as Enwright uttered the words “Guilty, Your Honor” fifteen times—once for each count. The hearing, initially set as a

Read More »

Long-Time Detective Resigns Amid Internal Investigation into Mishandled Cases

Kenosha, Wis. — A longtime Kenosha police detective has resigned just days before the conclusion of a sweeping internal investigation that sources say uncovered years of mishandled cases and investigative shortcuts. Detective Jason Melichar, who joined the Kenosha Police Department in 1999, resigned effective April 2, 2025, according to a department spokesperson. KPD confirmed that Melichar stepped down before the internal inquiry had concluded but declined to comment further, citing the investigation as a personnel matter.

Read More »
MORE TOP STORIES

Ziminski’s Bid for Early Prison Release Denied by Kenosha Judge

Kenosha, Wis. — Joshua Ziminski, the man who fired the first gunshot during the August 2020 riots in Kenosha, has been denied early release from prison. Ziminski, 40, is serving a three-year prison term after pleading guilty last year to armed robbery and armed burglary stemming from an August 2022 incident. Prosecutors said Ziminski and his wife, Kelly, robbed a man at knifepoint and attempted to withdraw cash from his bank account. As part of a

Read More »

Pleasant Prairie Police Department Opens Doors to the Public with State-of-the-Art Facility

Pleasant Prairie, Wis. — Residents in Pleasant Prairie will get their first public look inside the community’s new police station during an open house on Saturday, April 12, offering a glimpse into what law enforcement officials say is a facility built for both the present and the future. Located just south of Village Hall at 10111 39th Avenue, the new 58,000-square-foot station represents a significant leap forward for the Pleasant Prairie Police Department. After years of

Read More »

High-Speed Chase Ends in Courtroom: One Faces Potential Child Pornography Charges

Kenosha, Wis. — A 23-year-old Milwaukee man who led sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase through western Kenosha County is being held on $75,000 cash bail as prosecutors weigh possible child pornography charges related to his relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Jose Luis Soto-Nunez appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court on March 27 and faces six felony charges stemming from the March 26 incident, including fleeing police, multiple counts of recklessly endangering safety, and operating a

Read More »

New Christian School Opens in Kenosha With Free Tuition for Eligible Families

Kenosha, Wis. — A new private school offering free tuition for qualifying families has opened in Kenosha, thanks to a partnership between Shining Star Christian Schools and Heritage Baptist Church. The new campus is located inside Heritage Baptist Church at 2313 17th Ave., and enrollment is now open for students entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Pastor Curtis McMiller, who leads the church, said he’s excited to welcome families and provide children with access to a quality,

Read More »

Salem Man Gets Two-Year Sentence in Fond du Lac Despite High-Speed Chase, Firearm, and Drug Allegations

Kenosha, Wis. — A 24-year-old Salem man with a long history of criminal charges was sentenced to just two years in prison last month after pleading guilty to multiple felonies tied to a 2021 high-speed chase that endangered motorists and law enforcement in Fond du Lac County. Trenton Benjamin Kmiec, the son of local attorney and ousted politician, Theodore “Ted” Kmiec, appeared before Fond du Lac County Circuit Judge Tricia Walker on Feb. 25, 2025. Walker

Read More »

Deputy Suspended Over Retaliatory Traffic Stop After Middle Finger Incident

Kenosha, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office has disciplined a deputy who conducted a questionable traffic stop after a driver gave him the middle finger — a gesture protected by the First Amendment. Deputy Manuel Mandujano Jr. received a one-day unpaid suspension and mandatory constitutional policing training following an internal investigation into the February 1 incident, which gained traction online after video footage was posted to the “LackLuster” YouTube channel. The footage showed Mandujano initiating

Read More »

Salem Elementary Teacher Arrested After Alleged THC-Fueled Disturbance at Home

Kenosha, Wis. — A preschool teacher at Salem Elementary School was arrested late Saturday night after authorities say she ingested THC edibles and began behaving violently inside her Salem Lakes home. Melissa E. Briggs, 42, was taken into custody by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department just after 11 p.m. Deputies responded to the 10000 block of 256th Avenue after her husband called 911, reporting that Briggs was experiencing a mental health crisis and pounding on a

Read More »

Body Cam Footage Contradicts Pastor’s Claim of Cooperation in Youth Minister Sex Crime Case

Kenosha, Wis. – Despite publicly claiming that Journey Church was cooperating with police, newly released body-worn camera footage obtained by Kenosha County Eye reveals that lead pastor Kevin Taylor declined to give a statement to investigators following the arrest of a fellow pastor now charged with 15 felonies involving intimate images of two women. Gabriel Mills, a former “Guest Experience Pastor” at Journey Church in Kenosha, was first arrested on September 30, 2024. According to a

Read More »

Dominick Black Violates Probation, Faces Arrest Warrant If He Fails To Return To Wisconsin

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has notified a Kenosha County judge that Dominick Black, a probationer best known for his connection to the Kyle Rittenhouse case, violated the terms of his probation and is being ordered back to Wisconsin. In a letter sent yesterday to Judge Angelina Gabriele, Probation and Parole Agent Kimberly Ruhle reported that Black failed a drug test, was kicked out of substance use programming, and missed a mandatory probation

Read More »

Illinois Man Faces 46 New Charges, Possible Life In Prison After Multi-Agency Highway Pursuit

Kenosha, Wis. — An Illinois man already out on bond for multiple pending felony cases in Kenosha County was charged Thursday with 46 new counts in connection to a daytime police chase that spanned multiple jurisdictions and ended on the interstate. John S. Miller, 56, of Zion, now faces a staggering range of charges including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, criminal damage to property, fleeing and eluding police, and 36 counts of felony bail jumping. Prosecutors say

Read More »
Categories
Archives
Authors

7 Responses

  1. Chief Larsen seems to be a good example for young officers to aspire to.

    Good news is a breath of fresh air.

    Nice article KM. ??

  2. Kudos to Larson. He actually has a real college degree from a real local institution unlike former police chief and current city administrator John Morrissey, Morrissey claims that he obtained a four year degree in 15 months from a mail order school in Florida in 2001`. Morrissey used this fraudulent degree to move up the ladder. Yet the mayor, city council and everyone else in Kenosha are OK with Morrissey’s fraud.

    A link to a KCE article will follow.

    1. Apparently the KCE does not allow links in comments.

      Enter the search term “degree” in the search box to the right. This will be the first article that pops up:

      Retired FBI Special Agent Questions Kenosha City Administrator’s College Degree
      KEVIN MATHEWSON JUNE 30, 2022 – 8:21 PM

  3. I think a national recruiting firm should decide and not a firm like the one that put steinbrink Jr in his selected place in pp. Eric may be the best. However, the corruption is too deep not to have a second pair of outsider eyes on this and much more

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS
Categories
Archives
Authors

Subscribe to updates

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.