Hiring a New Police Chief: Make Your Voice Heard

The Police and Fire Commission takes public comment on the candidates for Chief of Police tonight at 5:30.  

TAKE ACTION:

Make Your Voice Heard

Members of the public who wish to offer comment during the public comment period must register in advance using the City of Madison’s Registration form (click here to access). Once completed, the Form must be submitted to the following e-mail address: policechiefsearch@cityofmadison.com. The order of speakers will be based on the order of submission of the completed Registration Form. Based on the PFC’s standard practice, each speaker will be limited to a maximum of three (3) minutes.

You may also express your views by directly emailing the commissioners at PoliceChiefSearch@cityofmadison.com.

Leave a voicemail: Madison residents without internet access can be directed to call (608) 266-6574 and leave a voicemail. City staff will type a transcript of each message and email it to the PFC.

Hiring a new chief is a pivotal moment in which trust between the police and the community can improve. Limiting community participation in the hiring process is not how we get there. I share the concerns of those who contend the hiring process calls for more robust public participation.

Limited public participation in the hiring process is an unforced error. It demonstrates why Common Council was right to set up the Civilian Oversight Board in the first place.

We desperately need a police chief more along the lines of former police chief David Couper. The one candidate who best fits that description is Ramon Batista from Mesa, AZ.

Finalist process for the Police Chief appointment *   Police Chief candidates' Q & A session videos *   Background on the Madison Police and Fire commissioners and hiring process

Take care and stay safe.

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