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RACINE â The Racine Police Department has a new chief at the helm.
Maurice Robinson was sworn in Monday afternoon during a ceremony at City Hall. His wife, Donna Robinson, who is also a peace officer, had the honor of pinning on his RPD badge.
Donna Robinson pins her husband s new Racine Police Department badge to his jacket during Maurice Robinson s swearing-in ceremony Monday. DEE HÃLZEL,
After the ceremony, he spoke for a few minutes about his new home and growing fondness for the area, especially the view and sound of Lake Michigan.
Robinson said he was especially appreciative of the warm welcome he and his wife have received, not only in the department but also in the community.
Pre-policing days
Art Howell s nickname when he worked at McDonald s at 2100 Lathrop Avenue from 1978 to 1983 was literally Chief, an omen for the official role he would later hold with the Racine Police Department. He s shown posing in this photo, at far-left, in his McDonald s uniform next to his sisters Sindy Howell-Stewart and Vanessa Oliver. Submitted photo
April 1987: Investigating
Sporting a short afro typical of the times, Art Howell works with partner Dean Stanton in the early days of the Racine Police Department s gang-diversion unit. MARK HERTZBERG, The Journal Times
October 1995: Community
Late landlord George Goodwater, right, tried to order police officers, including then-Sgt. Art Howell, left, from his property at 1111 Geneva St. during a walking tour Friday that involved trying to improve Racine s neighborhoods and housing conditions.
RACINE â When Art Howell joined the Racine Police Department, the city was entering one of its darkest times. Upon his retirement Wednesday after 37 years with the RPD, Racine has been experiencing record lows, year after year, in major crimes since Howell became chief of police.
Art Howell s father, who died in 1995, worked at Case. Howell kept a miniature Case tractor in his office to honor his dad. ADAM ROGAN,
Howell grew up on Davis Place, just south of Downtown Racine. As he was graduating from high school in 1980, a recession was sweeping across the Midwest. Stable industrial jobs went overseas or south of the border. Unemployment rates, especially among workers of color, shot up.
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling: âItâs been a privilege to work alongside Chief Art Howell. The chief brought a high level of professionalism and dedication to the community, which I was able to witness firsthand over the many years we have collaborated on matters of public safety. He is leaving big shoes to fill for the incoming chief. On behalf of the Racine County Sheriffâs Office, I wish Chief Howell the very best of health and happiness in his next chapter. His experience, wisdom and knowledge of the community will be greatly missed.â
Racine Police Chief Art Howell, standing left, and Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, standing right, salute during the playing of taps during the annual Racine County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on May 11, 2015 at Hantschel Park. The name of Arthur Herman was added to the memorial the previous year, after it was discovered this year that the Racine County Sheriff s Deputy died in the line of duty on