Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Expressing sincere appreciation to Madison Police Department Chief Mike Koval for his years of dedicated service and congratulate him on his retirement.
Body
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2019 Madison Police Department Chief Mike Koval retired and,
WHEREAS, after graduating from UW-Madison with a degree in journalism, Koval went on to receive a law degree and also served as an FBI agent for two years; and,
WHEREAS, Koval first joined the Madison Police Department as an officer in 1983; and,
WHEREAS, Chief Koval served as a field training supervisor, SWAT hostage negotiator, critical response team supervisor, primary legal instructor, and sergeant; and,
WHEREAS, as the sergeant of recruitment and training for 17 years, Chief Koval focused on diversifying the Madison Police Department in the hiring and training officers that shared the department's progressive policing philosophy; and
WHEREAS, he also taught the constitutional law portion of the Madison Police Department’s Academy, in which he reinforced the constitutional and statutory limits on police decision-making and emphasized respecting the rights of community members; and,
WHEREAS, he was appointed Madison Police Department Chief in 2014; and,
WHEREAS, during his tenure as chief, he created a number of units and positions, including: an MPD Mental Health Unit, an MPD Community Outreach and Resource Education Unit, an MPD Violent Crimes Unit, an MPD Burglary Crimes Unit, an MPD detective focused on human trafficking, a Use of Force Coordinator, and Neighborhood Resource Officer positions for every MPD district, all with the goal of better serving the Madison community; and,
WHEREAS, during his tenure as chief, he secured funding to open a new MPD district station for the Midtown District, improving the department’s ability to serve the community; and,
WHEREAS, during his tenure as chief, he hired about 45% of the current MPD workforce and made 115 promotions; these decisions have solidified MPD’s reputation as a national leader in hiring and promoting women and people of color; and,
WHEREAS, during his tenure as chief, MPD has been a leader in efforts to reduce reliance on the criminal justice system and implement restorative justice initiatives; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison express their sincere appreciation to Madison Police Department Chief Mike Koval for his years of dedicated service and congratulate him on his retirement.
Additional Source: 2019 State Assembly Resolution 10