The Madison Police Department Podcast

In this previously recorded first episode of Chief's Corner, Chief Barnes sits down with Public Information Officer Tyler Grigg to share recent updates on his focus for community engagement, crime prevention and officer wellness. Did you know nearly 85% of MPD is now vaccinated? Chief Barnes says that the community groups he's met with are excited to "get to know our officers again" after a year without any face-to-face interaction. And as a North Carolina native, he also reveals who he rooted for in the Badger's first round NCAA March Madness matchup against the North Carolina Tar Heels. "Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility and we can make our community better, but only together." - Chief Shon Barnes

Listen in as we mark a moment of transition for the Madison community and the MPD.  After a year-long hiring process, Chief Shon Barnes becomes the 30th chief of police for the city of Madison.  In this podcast, Chief Barnes sits down with Public Information Officer Tyler Grigg for the first time to have a candid conversation about his goals for the Department and the community. 

Following a nationwide search, the Madison Police Department found the best candidate to take over the public information office close to home. Really close to home. Tyler Grigg is currently a police officer with the MPD, and in a sense, has been a PIO in training for many years. On the podcast, current PIO Joel DeSpain and Acting Chief Vic Wahl introduce us to Grigg, as Grigg prepares to turn in his badge, and DeSpain readies for retirement. Chief Wahl is also gearing up to step aside as the Department’s chief. He initially thought he’d hold the title only a few months. Now 16 months later, he reflects on what it has been like leading the MPD through an unprecedented year.

After more than 13 years, and four police chiefs, MPD PIO Joel DeSpain has decided to call it a career at the end of the year. In the podcast, Chief Victor Wahl turns the tables, acting DeSpain about the trials and tribulations of dispensing information. DeSpain, a former journalist, talks about the transition from reporter to news source, and how both of his chosen professions have drastically changed.

The MPD will be getting a new police chief, possibly by the end of the year, and the selection process turns out to be very unique in Wisconsin. On the podcast, Acting Chief Victor Wahl provides insight into how state leaders have tried to keep politics out police chief picks. He also lets us know where the process stands right now, and what qualities the new chief should possess to be successful in Madison.

The Madison Police Department, for decades, has been looked at as one of the best in the country with highly-trained officers committed to community-based and problem-solving policing. However, in the face of very tight budgets, and calls by some to defund the police, the future of policing Madison style is in limbo. In this podcast Chief Vic Wahl talks about potential cuts, what MPD units might be impacted, and what this all could mean for public safety.

The MPD is one of the first departments in the country to ask for an outside group to examine and review its response to recent protests. The MPD has come under scrutiny from critics about its handling of this year’s ongoing civil unrest. Chief Vic Wahl has now asked the University of Pennsylvania Law School's Quattrone Center, which works on initiatives to improve the criminal justice system, to study the MPD’s handling of protests. In this podcast, Chief Wahl talks about his view of the protests and the hopes he has for upcoming review.

Presidential candidates, homicides, protests, will all impact the MPD’s bottom-line this year. As they do so at a time when money is needed for more police officers, if the MPD is to provide the same level of service expected by Madison community. It is very hard to budget for what you do not know, and many might be surprised at some of the non-discretionary items already contained in the $82 million budget. MPD Finance Manager Teague Mawer provides insight into what’s behind the numbers. We also hear from Acting Chief Vic Wahl about financial challenges ahead, particularly with the pending annexation of the Town of Madison, and the increasing need for a new North District station.

At a time when those applying to be police officers is on the decline nationally, the MPD is bucking the trend. Numbers of applicants are up this year, with many indicating they are applying nowhere else. Some got in the MPD pipeline as teenage explorers, others as college interns. In this podcast Capt. Lori Chalecki, a former explorer and intern herself, talks about the department’s new Public Safety Cadet program, and how it is now helping bolster the MPD ranks. Acting Chief Vic Wahl, a former MPD intern, and MPD Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain, who coordinates the MPD’s internship program, join the conversation about what’s going right in recruitment.

When two Madison Police officers showed up in her hospital room, a woman who had just overdosed on heroin, thought she was likely going to jail. Instead, the officers offered her an opportunity that helped change her life. Now Shawn Sveum hopes to help to others who are struggling by appearing on this podcast and candidly talking about her difficult path to a healthy and happy life. It all started when those officers in the hospital told her about MPD’s Madison Addiction Recovery Initiative, or MARI. Joining Sveum on the podcast is MARI coordinator, Officer Bernie Albright, who provides exciting news about the program’s future.

It is one of the most prolific crime problems plaguing the greater Madison area, and finding ways to deter young burglars and car thieves has proven elusive. In this podcast a veteran officer Scott Favour, who is assigned to the MPD’s Criminal Intelligence Section, provides insight into the young people who are fueling the disturbing trend, as well as useful prevention tips. Acting Chief Vic Wahl also joins host Joel DeSpain for a candid discussion on a crime spree impacting the lives of many community members.

In terms of cracking cases - from misdemeanors to homicides - it is an incredibly valuable tool, one that has taken on even greater importance in the past decade, particularly when it comes to the plethora of data and clues often contained in cellphones. On the podcast, Madison Police Department Digital Forensics Investigator Justin Adsit takes us on a deep dive into a world of crime fighting few get to hear about, until now.

Wisconsin’s Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week In the dead of winter, they are bundled up, standing on busy streets shepherding some of our most valued community members: our children. This week is Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week in Wisconsin. On the podcast, Madison Police Department crossing guard supervisors Patti Knoche and Virginia Kravik talk about the many ways we can say thanks to those who have chosen a sometimes dangerous job. They also provide tips for parents on how best to talk with sons and daughters about the best ways to stay safe going to and from school.

In the final Madison Police Department podcast of 2019, Acting Chief Vic Wahl joins Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain for a frank and honest discussion about current staffing levels at the MPD. Chief Wahl provides insights about how a patrol officer shortage could impact some of the Department’s core values: community-based policing, problem-oriented policing, and trust-based policing. There are a number of models used to determine police staffing levels, and Chief Wahl believes some are badly flawed. He explains why in this podcast.

There are new parking orders in place for this winter, and rules could be changing even more dramatically in the future. Madison is a beautiful city, situated between lakes, but the geography produces parking challenges that are very unique, particularly when snow flies. In this podcast, City of Madison Parking Supervisor Stefanie Niesen joins Acting Chief Vic Wahl, and Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain, for an educational discussion about keeping streets and lakes clean, while also providing tips about avoiding tickets this winter.