Fiscal Note
Under this proposed resolution, extraordinary expenses resulting from mutual aid assistance for neighboring jurisdictions will be reviewed by the City Attorney and Risk Manager or their designees and recovered when appropriate. Fiscal impacts are hard to predict as costs may vary widely from case to case and there is limited historical precedent for attempting to recoup expenses. No City appropriation is required to implement this resolution.
Title
Assessing costs associated with mutual aid responses provided by Madison Police Department for the purposes of recouping extraordinary expenses.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison recognizes that mutual assistance is an essential element of public safety. When one municipality’s personnel and /or equipment are depleted, it is for the overall good of our collective communities that, when called upon, neighboring municipalities can provide the necessary support to keep people safe; and,
WHEREAS, Wis. Stats. § 66.0513 recognizes that when law enforcement officers are asked by other agencies to assist in performing police duties outside the limits of their jurisdiction, the cost of such a response shall be paid for by their employing law enforcement agency, but then shall be reimbursed by the political subdivision whose officer or agent requested the assistance; and,
WHEREAS, when matters of urgent public safety require Madison law enforcement officers to provide assistance outside of Madison consistent with that statute, the City of Madison is allowed by such law to recoup wage and disability payments, pension and worker’s compensation claims, damage to equipment and clothing and medical expenses arising out of such assistance; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison must continue to act with fiscal prudence and responsibility for all Madison taxpayers in all manner of operations; and,
WHEREAS, despite this State law, the City has rarely sought such reimbursement, as it has attempted to be a good neighbor to surrounding municipalities with law enforcement agencies that follow law policies and procedures on the reasonable restriction of vehicle pursuits; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison and its Police Department have a policy instituted which sets reasonable restrictions on vehicle pursuits; and,
WHEREAS, some jurisdictions, like the City of Monona Police Department, have other more aggressive policies which allow for far less restrictions and arguably encourage their officers to engage in pursuits; and,
WHEREAS, these neighboring jurisdictions, like the City of Monona Police Department, have engaged in several pursuits in recent years which have caused additional cost and harm, both economic and physical, to the residents and property owners of the City of Madison, including a recent incident where a City of Madison Police Officer was seriously injured, a K9 was injured, and a squad car was completely destroyed, after the officer responded to the mutual aid request of the Monona Police Department during a high speed and incredibly dangerous pursuit of a tow truck driver which ended in a fiery crash;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that when the City of Madison or members of its community incur extraordinary expenses after its Police Officers are requested and so engage in mutual aid assistance for neighboring jurisdictions, the matter shall be reviewed by the City Attorney and Risk Manager or their designees, and after such review and when appropriate, the City of Madison will invoke Wis. Stats. § 66.0513 and any other relevant state or federal law, to recover any and all applicable expenses incurred in such assistance, to include the beforementioned incident on September 27, 2025.