Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Expressing sincere appreciation to Madison Police Department Assistant Chief Victor Wahl for his years of dedicated service and 16 months service as Acting Chief of Police.
Body
WHEREAS, Victor “Vic” Wahl first joined the Madison Police Department as an officer in 1991; and,
WHEREAS, now Assistant Chief Wahl has served in many capacities within the MPD to include the promoted positions of Sergeant beginning in 1999, Lieutenant beginning in 2002, Captain beginning in 2008, and Assistant Chief beginning in 2017; and,
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2019 former Madison Police Department Chief Mike Koval retired and,
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Vic Wahl immediately and voluntarily assumed the role of “Acting Chief of Police” while a search process for a permanent Chief was started by the PFC; and,
WHEREAS, as Acting Chief, Assistant Chief Wahl led the MPD with distinction, dedication and steady, calm leadership through some of the most difficult circumstances faced by the Madison community and the Madison Police Department; and,
WHEREAS, as Acting Chief, while he was navigating and leading the MPD through the COVID-19 pandemic, periods of civil unrest, ongoing difficult but critical community conversations about the role of police in our community, and an incredibly difficult budget process, he was also continuously preparing the department for an important transition to Chief Shon Barnes; and,
WHEREAS, during the past 16 months under his leadership, the MPD continued to lead in efforts to reduce reliance on the criminal justice system, implement and improve restorative justice initiatives, and hire and promote women and people of color,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison express their sincere appreciation to Madison Police Department Assistant Chief Vic Wahl for his years of dedicated service and particularly for the past 16 months as MPD’s Acting Chief of Police during these unprecedented times and this important time of transition.