Every quarter the results of the “Madison Police Department Professional Standards and Internal Affairs Discipline Summary” comes out. Here’s a look at the latest and the past couple years.
I was a little surprised that most of the complaints seem to be internal. I wonder if the public even knows about this process? Or, I wonder if people don’t file complaints because they don’t think anything will be done? Or, I wonder if people are talked into not formally filing a complaint? Or?
The format will be by quarterly report with the following information
Origin (internal or external) – Reported Date – Incident Status
Allegation/Outcome/Action Taken
Complaint Notes
July 1, 2019 – Sept. 30, 2019 (pdf)
External – 05/05/2019 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Performance of Duties
SOP – Reporting Procedures
• Letter of Reprimand
An Officer was determined to have failed to conduct an investigation or complete a police report for an active retail theft investigation
Internal – 06/21/2019 – Closed
SOP – Police Weaponry
• Letter of Reprimand
An Officer had an accidental discharge of a police firearm while securing the weapon in their squad.
Internal 05/30/2019 Closed
Code of Conduct – Absence from Duty
• Written Warning
A non-sworn employee failed to report to their regularly scheduled work day on time, and did so without prior approval. Employee had prior similar offenses.
April 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019 (pdf)
External – 05/06/2019 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Performance of Duties
Letter of Reprimand
An Officer was determined to have failed to conduct a thorough investigation and properly document their findings.
Jan 1, 2019 – March 1, 2019
I didn’t get an email?
October 1 – December 31, 2018 (pdf)
Internal – July 23, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Absence from Duty
• Suspension – 10 days
A civilian employee was absent from their regular work day and did not make appropriate notifications
External – July 20, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Courtesy, Respect, and Professional Conduct
Code of Conduct – Insubordination
SOP – In-Car Video System
• Suspension – 5 days
An Officer made an inappropriate comment to a driver of a vehicle who failed to yield to an emergency vehicle. Investigation also determined that the Officer’s squad microphone was not properly synced to their squad video system. The Officer’s actions were deemed to be a violation of previously ordered work rules.
Internal – Sep 7, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Unlawful Conduct
Code of Conduct – Notification Required of Law Enforcement Contact
• Resignation
A civilian employee was discovered to have had been arrested for 1st offense OMVWI and failed to make notifications as required by policy. Employee resigned in lieu of termination.
Internal – Aug 27, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Unlawful Conduct
• Letter of Reprimand
An employee was involved in an off-duty disturbance with a neighbor, which resulted in the issuance of a municipal citation.
July 1 – September 20, 2018 (pdf)
Internal – June 1, 2017 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Unlawful Conduct
• Resignation
An off duty Officer was arrested by MPD for OMVWI and cited for Hit and Run, with their minor child in the vehicle. The Officer resigned prior to the completion of the internal investigation.
Internal – March 5, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Insubordination
• Suspension – 10 days
A civilian employee failed to follow prescribed work rules
Internal – April 3, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Truthfulness
SOP – Performance of Duties
• Resignation
A detective failed to submit evidence to be tested as required by policy. When questioned about it, the detective’s response was untruthful. The detective resigned prior to the completion of the internal investigation.
*This investigation (2017PSIA-0005) was closed during the 2nd quarter, but was inadvertently not included in the 2nd quarter discipline summary.
Internal – June 8, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Absence from Duty
• Suspension – 3 days
A civilian employee was absent from their regular work day and did not make appropriate notifications.
Internal – July 23, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Absence from Duty
• Suspension – 10 days
A civilian employee was absent from multiple regular work days and did not make appropriate notifications.
Internal – August 8, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Performance of Duties
Code of Conduct – Insubordination
• Resignation
A civilian employee failed to update an internal tracking system regarding their performed tasks. This employee consistently performed at a level far below the unit average, and failed to follow prescribed work rules to improve their performance. The individual resigned prior to the completion of the internal investigation.
Internal – June 13, 2018 – Closed
Internal – June 22, 2018 – Closed
External – August 9, 2018 – Closed
Internal – August 22, 2018 – Closed
SOP – Emergency Vehicle Operations
Code of Conduct – Performance of Duties
SOP – Emergency Vehicle Operations
SOP – Records Inspection and Release
Code of Conduct – Truthfulness (x2)
Code of Conduct – Performance of Duties
Code of Conduct – Performance of Duties
SOP – Reporting Procedures
• Officer was terminated independent of completion of internal investigation
A probationary employee who was terminated for performance issues was also found to have violated a number of violations of MPD’s Code of Conduct and MPD SOP. The violations included improper emergency vehicle operations, improper investigative/report procedures and improper release of MPD records. The officer was also found to be untruthful during the investigation
April 1 – June 30, 2018 (pdf)
Internal – Feb 26, 2018 – Closed
SOP – Firearms Safety
• Letter of Reprimand
An Officer self-disclosed an accidental discharge while holstering their weapon in a secure area.
Internal – April 12, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Absence from Duty
SOP – Telestaff Requirements
• Suspension (1 day)
A civilian supervisor was absent from their regular work day and did not make appropriate notifications.
January 1 – March 31, 2018 (pdf)
Internal – Oct 11, 2017 – Closed
SOP – Interview of Crime Victims
• Sustained – 12 day suspension and remedial training
A co-worker learned that an Officer made an inappropriate statement to a sensitive crime victim and reported it accordingly.
External – Jan 25, 2018 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Courtesy, Respect, and Professional Conduct
• Sustained – Verbal Warning (Written) and remedial training
A civilian parking enforcement officer was condescending and rude with a citizen while discussing a parking violation.
Internal – Jan 10, 2018 – Closed
SOP – Emergency Vehicle Operation
Guidelines
• Sustained – Letter of Reprimand
An Officer attempting to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation continued to pursue the vehicle in a manner outside of policy after the vehicle fled.
October 1 – December 1, 2017 (pdf)
Internal – 10/13/2017 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Absence From Duty
• Termination
A recently hired hourly civilian employee failed to show up for work on two occasions, and was late to work on two other instances.
Internal – 09/10/2017 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Absence From Duty
• Letter of Reprimand
An Officer signed up for an extra duty assignment, but failed to report for said assignment.
Internal – 09/08/2017 – Closed
SOP – Overtime Guidelines
• Suspension – 9 days held in abeyance
An Officer failed to follow SOP in regards to acquiring and documenting supervisor approval for overtime worked.
July 1 – Sept 30, 2017 (pdf)
Internal – May 6, 2017 – Closed
Emergency Vehicle Operation Guidelines (Standard Operating Procedure)
• Letter of Reprimand
A commissioned officer’s actions during a pursuit were found to be outside of policy and without due regard.
Internal – June 16, 2017 – Closed
Insubordination – 3 counts (MPD Standard Operating
Procedure and APM 2-33)
• Suspension – 5 days held in abeyance
• A five-day suspension that had been issued but held in abeyance from a previous investigation was applied and those days were served.
A civilian employee failed to accurately document their work product as outlined in written departmental procedures.
The employee did not follow previously issued work rules in regard to procedures for documenting their work hours.
The employee did not follow previously issued work rules related to notification of command staff of police contacts outside of work as required.
April 1 – June 30, 2017 (pdf)
Internal – March 16, 2017 – Closed
Performance of Duties (City APM 2-33(A)(4))
Written Warning
Truthfulness (City APM 2-33(A)(4))
5 day suspension/ 2 days held in abeyance
Civilian employee failed to document their work productivity in the prescribed departmental tracking software.
This same employee also lied to a supervisor, a Lieutenant and a Sergeant about work they claimed was completed but was not.
Internal – March 23, 2017 – Closed
Absence from Duty (City APM 2-33(B)(1))
3 day suspension/ 2 days held in abeyance
Civilian employee was late to work and/or left early on multiple occasions with no adjustment to work hours.
Internal – April 10, 2017 – Closed
Absence From Duty (City APM 2-33(B)(1))
Termination
Civilian employee failed to arrive to work in a timely manner on multiple occasions over the course of a year after receiving multiple opportunities to correct their behavior.
Internal – May 23, 2017 – Closed
Insubordination
1 day suspension/ Held in abeyance
Civilian employee failed to follow the directives of their prescribed work rules.
January 1 – March 31, 2017 (pdf)
Internal – 09/21/2016 – Closed
Performance of Duties – Sustained
Letter of Reprimand
Employee failed to turn over investigative materials when asked and did not complete their reports in a timely manner in regard to same investigation.
Internal – 12/13/2016 – Closed
Absence From Duty – Sustained
Letter of Reprimand
Employee reported late for duty several times in the last quarter of 2016.
Internal – 01/05/2017 – Closed
APM 2-33, Rules of Conduct – Sustained
Administrative Working Suspension (10 days)
Civilian employee failed to arrive to work on time on several occasions after having been counseled for the same performance issue in the past.
October 1 – December 31, 2016 (pdf)
External – 07/28/2016 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Absence From Duty
Sustained – 5 Day Suspension (3 held in abeyance)
An officer failed to appear in court twice after receiving two separate subpoenas for the same case.
External – 07/29/2016 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Performance of Duties
Standard Operating Procedure – Reporting
Sustained – 10 Day Suspension/Training/Work Rules
An officer failed to appropriately investigate a domestic incident and neglected to produce a complete, accurate and timely report.
Internal – 07/18/2016 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Truthfulness
Code of Conduct – Unlawful Conduct
Sustained – Resigned in Lieu of Termination
A civilian employee was investigated for the falsification of a taxi cab permit. During the course of the internal interview, the employee was found to be untruthful regarding her actions.
Internal – 9/29/2016 – Closed
Standard Operating Procedure – Firearms Safety
Sustained – Letter of Reprimand
An officer, inadvertently left their encased department rifle on the trunk of their squad and drove away. The rifle fell in the street, was recovered by a citizen, but ultimately returned to MPD.
Internal – 9/16/2016 – Closed
Standard Operating Procedures – Use of Mobile Data Computers
Sustained – Letter of Reprimand
An officer sent unprofessional messages to coworkers via their Mobile Data Computer in their squad while on duty.
Internal – 9/16/2016 – Closed
Standard Operating Procedures – Use of Mobile Data Computers
Code of Conduct – Insubordination
Sustained – 6 Day Suspension
An officer sent unprofessional messages to coworkers via their Mobile Data Computer in their squad while on duty. Additionally, the officer violated their work rules which were issued for past similar infractions.
External – 7/19/2016 – Closed
Standard Operating Procedures – Social Media, Off Duty Use
Sustained – Letter of Reprimand
A citizen reported that an officer made a disparaging comment on a public on-line petition which was later learned to have been done utilizing City resources.
Internal – 10/28/2016 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Absence From Duty
Code of Conduct – Performance of Duties
Sustained – 1 day suspension and Letter of Reprimand
An officer was late to work repeatedly without prior authorization.
Additionally, the officer did not follow MPD procedures when disposing of found property which included a small amount of drugs and money.
Internal – 10/3/2016 – Closed
Code of Conduct – Harassment
No Formal Finding – Officer Resigned
An officer made a sexual comment to a coworker while on duty. The offending officer resigned prior to the completion of the investigation.
June 1 – September 30, 2016 (pdf)
Internal – 05/04/2016 – Closed
Code of Conduct #10- Courtesy, Respect, and Professional Conduct
Sustained – Letter of Reprimand
An officer was deemed to have been intimidating and harassing toward 2 individual co-workers.
Internal – 06/21/2016 – Closed
Code of Conduct #3- Performance of Duties
Sustained – Letter of Reprimand
An officer photocopied an exam of another officer and submitted it as their own work product.
April 1 – June 30, 2016 (pdf)
Internal – 01/13/2016 – Closed
Code of Conduct #10 – Courtesy, Respect and Professional Conduct
Sustained – 3 day suspension without pay (1 day served, 2 held in abeyance)
An officer made an inappropriate comment to a fellow officer while on duty.
