Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dawn Crim today announced her departure from the agency that handles professional licensing.
Crim in a joint press release with Gov. Tony Evers did not offer any reasons for her departure. But Republicans have criticized Crim for her handling of professional licensing application backlogs at DSPS.
Despite the backlash, Crim in the release said she’s proud of the progress she made.
“After more than ten years of operating with disparate processes and policies, DSPS is now a unified agency focused on ensuring safety and supporting the economy,” she said.
Crim also came under fire after her appointment for stabbing her son’s hand with a pen several times in 2005 until he bled as a punishment for him doing the same to another child. She was charged with felony child abuse, but the charge was dismissed as part of a deferred prosecution agreement.
The Senate confirmed Crim 29-2 in September last year. Republican Sens. Julian Bradley, R-Franklin, and Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, were the only ones opposed.
Evers also announced he is appointing DSPS Assistant Deputy Secretary Dan Hereth to replace Crim. Hereth served as deputy district director for U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, starting in 2007 before joining DSPS in 2019.
See the release here.
