There's a lot going on, dear reader, so I'll try to break this down as best I can. 1. MADISON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING The alders will be voting on two important issues this coming Tuesday, May 2nd. -Whether the city should present Madison Police Department with a mayoral proclamation for National Police Week. This is something Steve initiated and has been working on. It's a no-brainer way for the city to show MPD our collective gratitude. -More importantly, they'll be voting on whether to reimburse Chief Koval the approximate $22,000 in out-of-pocket legal fees he spent to defend himself against ridiculous charges. If only six of 20 alders vote no, the chief will be out a huge chunk of change. From where I sit, this council has been on the chief's case ever since he (rightfully & courageously) defended his officers last year. Their disdain, as well as that from the anti-cop crowd, seemed to intensify after the council meeting on June 6, the fateful evening Steve & I spoke in front of the council to support the chief & MPD. That evening, the chief saw we were in distress and came to our aid. He protected us not only against the council's hostility (I was interrogated like a criminal by Alder Mark Clear) but from two aggressive residents. He was acting as a consummate professional. And for this he has to cough up $22 Gs and be subjected to non-stop scrutiny? 2. PUBLICLY HUMILIATING THE CHIEF Fewer people are applying to be police officers - both nationally and locally. Madison (considered an elite force across the nation) typically has about 1,200 applicants. This last pool? Try 600. This is occurring at a time when violent crime in Madison is on the uptick and we're short about 30 officers. Can you imagine the stress? So Chief Koval rightfully makes a public petition for more officers. And what are the responses? Stuff like this . . . "After a really tough night for the city, instead of doing his job and administering our Police Department, he was trying to score political points not only for his department's budget but also for his current personal legal battle with regards to his professional conduct." --Alder Amanda Hall Source: http://www.nbc15.com/content/news/Madison-city-leaders-respond-to-police-chiefs-call-for-more-officers-420676364.html And this . . . "Mayor Paul Soglin on Thursday accused Police Chief Mike Koval of campaigning for more department funds outside the city’s budget process and threatened to take steps to “maintain control” of Koval’s or any agency budget if that procedure isn’t followed." Source: http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_b8ef4895-b112-511d-aa46-9d65af55e9ae.html So on top of the already-stressful job - Mifflin & CrazyLegs are this weekend, by the way - an increase in crime, and having to operate with a deficit of officers, Chief Koval has to worry about petty politics, and be subjected to public humiliation by a group who frankly, and in my opinion, are clueless. If this news has moved you, I ask that you join me in attending the city meeting this coming Tuesday to tell the common council & mayor: Enough is Enough! Will they listen? Probably not. But come anyway. It starts at 6:30PM on May 2, room 201 of the City-County building. If you plan to attend, have questions or comments about this post, please reach out to me at paula@pjpublications.com Added 4/29: If you can't attend the council meeting next Tuesday, please write the alders & Mayor Soglin, and tell them: -To approve the mayoral proclamation in support of Madison PD -To reimburse Chief Koval's full legal fees -To fund the hiring of additional police officers to satisfy the city's growing needs. Alders: allalders@cityofmadison.com Mayor Soglin: mayor@cityofmadison.com All the best. --Paula Fitzsimmons