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Madison, WI Header
File #: 91959    Version: 1 Name: Police Patrol Sergeant Upgrades
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 2/11/2026 In control: Police Department
On agenda: 3/10/2026 Final action: 3/10/2026
Enactment date: 3/16/2026 Enactment #: RES-26-00142
Title: Authorizing the upgrade of six police offer positions to police sergeant
Sponsors: Satya V. Rhodes-Conway, Yannette Figueroa Cole, John W. Duncan
Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the Madison Police Department (MPD) to upgrade 6 (six) positions from Police Officer in Compensation Group 11, Range 1 to Police Sergeant in Compensation Group 11, Range 3. The estimated annual cost of the upgrade is $11,500 per position comprised of salaries ($9,350) and benefits ($2,150). For all six positions, the estimated annualized cost is $69,000. MPD anticipates absorbing the costs of the proposed upgrades within their 2026 Adopted Operating Budget. At this time, no additional appropriation is required.

Title
Authorizing the upgrade of six police offer positions to police sergeant

Body
PREAMBLE

The mission of the Madison Police Department (MPD) is to provide high quality police services that are accessible to all members of the community. The MPD believes in the dignity of all people and respects the individual and constitutional rights in fulfilling this mission.

WHEREAS patrol sergeants directly supervise patrol officers and are often responsible for explaining new policies and translating the Chief of Police’s broader goals into practical guidance for patrol officers’ daily activities; and

WHEREAS MPD has an authorized commissioned strength of 492, and since 2020, MPD has hired 245 new police officers due to attrition; and

WHEREAS the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that an optimal span of control is five subordinates for every supervisor, (5:1), and MPD currently averages 7.3 patrol officers for every patrol sergeant (7.3:1); and

WHEREAS increasing the number of patrol sergeants will allow for more opportunities to supervise, develop, train, and mentor patrol officers who are often the first, and sometimes only, point of contact community members have with the police department;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Madison Police Department shall upgrade 6 (six) positions from police officer to sergeant, increasing MPD’s patrol sergeant to patrol officer ratio to an averag...

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