In a 19-1 decision Tuesday night, Madison alders voted to adopt new recommendations for Madison Police Department policy as it relates to use-of-force, officer well-being and other issues.
A council committee presented 13 recommendations of what the Madison Police Department should change in its procedures and policies at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.
The Common Council Executive Committee, made up of five current alders, spent the last seven months coming up with a set of recommendations.
The recommendations state that additional mental health resources be provided to officers, the city has increased control of purchasing surveillance equipment and that language in the department’s use of force policies be altered.
The committee also suggested that Chief Mike Koval present a quarterly report to the Common Council on any changes or updates being made in his department.
District 9 Alder Paul Skidmore said the council should not rush to accept the recommendations because the city is still waiting on an independent consulting firm to provide a report later this year.
“Let’s be fair, let’s be honest, and let’s not rush to a judgment that may be wrong,” Skidmore said.
Skidmore was the only council member to vote against the proposals.
Madison police Chief Mike Koval said the department supports most of the recommendations and will implement them. However, he expressed concern over whether council members will insert themselves into day-to-day operations of the department.
“We will accept this report readily and we will look at it substantively,” Koval said. “What I want to continue to remind the council…is stick to the recommendations, stick to initiatives, but stay away from the day-to-day daily operational needs and dictates of the department. That should be left to subject matter experts like myself and the other members of the (department).”
OIR Group was hired by the city for $400,000 to conduct a study on the police department’s practices in October 2016. The firm is interviewing stakeholders, police staff and experts in public safety, but a final report is not set to be released until later this year.
District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel said the 13 recommendations will address urgent policy questions.
“…the council has legal authority to act for the health, safety and welfare of the public,” Rummel said.
District 5 Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff said none of the recommendations will conflict with OIR’s future report.
