The Madison Police Department Podcast

This episode of Mike Koval’s Podcast is an introduction to the Madison Police Department’s Good Neighbor Project, a new initiative focused on community building and neighborhood partnerships. Chief Koval is joined by MPD’s Crime Prevention Officer, Emily Samson.

In this podcast, Chief Mike Koval talks about what motivated him to form a Mental Health Officer Team. The unit is expanding while garnering kudos from local consumers and national law enforcement agencies, many of which are now looking to emulate what has become a national model for helping those with mental health issues. Chief Koval believes one of the big reasons for success is the partnership formed with mental health practitioners. A civilian crisis worker from Journey Mental Health is “embedded” with the MPD. Sarah Henrickson will join in this podcast to talk about what is working on the streets, and why more her social worker colleagues will soon be joining her at the MPD.

The MPD has had police officers partnering with teachers inside Madison high schools for nearly two decades, yet there are often some community members questioning whether they should be there. In this podcast, Chief Koval talks about the merits of the Educational Resource Officer program. The captain who oversees it – Brian Ackeret – also stops by to provide a current assessment of how the program is working and where its future might lie.

Chief Koval talks about the need to provide better outreach to area middle school students with his belief that the relatively new Community Outreach and Resource Education (CORE) team is on the cusp of making a real difference in many young peoples’ lives. To give listeners a better sense of the team – which is expanding this summer – Chief Koval asked the MPD’s Core sergeant to join in the podcast. Scott Kleinfeldt, it turns out, is uniquely qualified to lead the CORE. You will find out why - and how officers are helping young people make good decisions - in this podcast.

As the President continues to push for withholding federal funds to so called “sanctuary cities,” Chief Koval reiterates the importance of the MPD’s stance on immigration. In this podcast, Chief Koval talks about the department’s commitment to community policing for all people, and under which situations officers will work with ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agency.

Gun violence in Madison has been on the upswing in early 2017, with warm summer months still ahead. Concerned for what the upcoming months might bring, Chief Mike Koval talks about how the community can band together with the MPD to help reduce weapons violations. Chief Koval also talks about the importance the Violent Crime Unit is playing in investigating these cases, and why he decided to recently expand the unit.

The MPD is getting ready to launch new technology. Chief Koval does not like to refer to the recently purchased tools as “drones”, but as “unmanned aircraft systems.” In this podcast, Chief Koval explains why this is important. He also discusses under which circumstances unmanned aircraft systems will be used, and how a recently trained team of MPD team will avoid violating anyone’s privacy.

Every year hundreds apply for a limited number of police officer positions at the Madison Police Department. Many are switching careers from professions like teaching and social work; feeling a calling to work nowhere else but at the MPD. In this podcast, Chief Mike Koval talks about what type of person makes a good MPD officer and how the department works diligently to recruit a diverse mix of individuals who will reflect well the diversity of the eclectic Madison community.

Chief Koval takes a look ahead to the coming weekend, when one of Madison’s rites of spring takes place: The Mifflin Street Block Party. Koval takes a look back at the party’s anti-war Vietnam era roots, to the drunken bash it has become today. The Chief also talks about how his officers are uniquely trained to keep large crowds safe in a city known for its activism, protests, marches and parties.

Chief Koval talks about those things that make the MPD unique, including departmental philosophy and core values. Koval also  discusses his journey to leading the nationally recognized department; from Bucky Badger, to FBI agent, the recruiting sergeant.