Jim Warren is resigning after ten years as the Administrator of The State of Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Crimninal Investigation (DCI).  While a spokesman for Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen claims that Warren wasn't actually asked to resign, it's pretty clear from Warren's comments that he's being forced out. For what it's worth, my sources within the DOJ confirm that this is exactly what has happened.

     As Attorney General, Van Hollen should be allowed to surround himself with whomever he pleases.  At the same time, J.B. Van Hollen telling Jim Warren how to run a law enforcement agency is like Barney Rubble telling Colin Powell how to be a General.

     For those who might not remember, Jim Warren was a highly respected member of the Milwaukee Police Department for almost 30 years.  He was the overwhelming favorite of the law enforcement community to take over as Chief of Police when a vacancy occurred back in the mid-90s.  Unfortunately, John Norquist decided to pass Warren over in order to elevate his crony, Arthur Jones.  The Milwaukee Police Department (and the community at large) is still suffering repercussions from this choice.

     In any event, Warren left MPD soon thereafter and was quickly hired by then-Attorney General Jim Doyle to run DCI.  Warren has served with distinction for the past decade under Doyle, his successor Peg Lautenschlager and, most recently, Van Hollen. 

     Warren is also well-known in Milwaukee for his extensive work within the Native American community.

     While media reports are quick to point out that Doyle and Lautenschlager are Democrats, I think it would be wrong to presume too much about Warren's politics from the politics of those he served under.  Let me put it like this.  If I were Attorney General, I'd have no problem having Jim Warren work for me in a policy-making role.  I also dare say that Warren would have no problem working for me.

     I don't know what caused the rift between Van Hollen and Warren.  I hope that this wasn't simply a case of Van Hollen forcing a good career law enforcement officer out so he can put in a crony and a "yes" man.  In this regard, I had the opportunity to work with the interim head of DCI when he was starting out as a narcotics officer and believe him to be a good guy.

     Still, it stinks that Van Hollen dumped Jim Warren.

     When he was elected in November of 2006, I really thought that Van Hollen had the chance to do great things with the DOJ.  Since then though, he's made one bonehead move after the other.  In many cases, I think his decisions are based not on the law - or on doing what's right - but rather on what he thinks might curry favor with this group or that so as to better position himself when he makes his inevitable run for Governor.

     If Van Hollen's not careful though, he may find that in trying to appease every group that comes down the pike, he has no constituency left.  This is, of course, the risk that politicians run when they throw principle to the wind.  It is especially true when those politicians occupy positions that require them to interpret and accurately apply the law.

     As for Jim Warren, he'll undoubtedly do just fine.  I wish I was as optimistic about the future of the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice.