MPD captain honored among Wisconsin’s 25 Most Influential Native American Leaders

MADISON, Wis. — Madison Police Captain Diana Nachtigal has been honored as one of Wisconsin's most influential Native American Leaders for 2025.

The award was presented by Madison 365 and recognizes elected leaders, business leaders and community leaders doing difficult and important work.

At MPD, Captain Nachtigal is assigned to the Community Outreach and Resource Education and Mental Health units. She oversees a wide variety of community-focused initiatives and outreach groups, such as Amigos en Azul, Black Officer Coalition and MPD Pride. She also organizes and hosts the department’s community academy and youth summer camps.

“We could not be prouder of this acknowledgement of Captain Nachtigal and the incredible service and leadership she provides to our community and department!  She truly is an influential leader and is very deserving of this recognition,” said Acting Chief John Patterson.

Law enforcement is a second career for Nachtigal. She started as an accountant at biotech company Promega. She joined MPD as an accounting technician in 1998 and became a sworn officer in 2004. Since then, she has risen through the ranks, serving as a mental health liaison officer, criminal intelligence officer and detective in the violent crime unit. She was promoted to captain and placed in charge of the community engagement unit in December 2024.

“Every year, with every list, I’ve intended to highlight the beauty of the diversity across our state. I want kids here in Wisconsin to see role models of people who are succeeding, to know it’s possible for people of color to achieve great things here,” said Madison 365 publisher Henry Sanders in an online article.

You can read the full list of this year’s nominees at the Madison 365 website.