Madison Reporter

An investigation of former UWPD Chief Kristen Roman conducted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Office of Human Resources substantiated multiple violations of university employment policies and work rules. Roman resigned on Feb. 11, 2024, ahead of the completion of the investigation and report, after serving as chief of police since 2017.

The substantiated allegations documented in the report include violations of consensual relationship and nepotism policies, failure to report outside income in an Outside Activity Report, violation of UWPD performance policy, failure to track mileage for the fleet vehicle provided to her, and failure to pay for parking her personal vehicle at UWPD.

According to the report, the specific policy violations found were related to Fleet Driver and Management Policies and Procedures Manual, UW-5046 Nepotism, UW-5048 Consensual Relationships, Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter UWS 8–Unclassified Staff Code of Ethics, UWPD Policy 26.1, Performance Procedures, and UWPD Values. The investigation did not involve any allegations of criminal conduct.

The concerns leading to the investigation came from various sources and offices, with a separate investigation into a different employee matter triggering the start of the Roman investigation on Nov. 30, 2023, at the request of UWPD administrative leadership to the Office of Human Resources. Upon being informed of the nature of the allegations, Roman chose to resign.

Following Roman's resignation, Brent Plisch has been appointed as interim chief, pending the search for a permanent chief to take over the position. Roman's role as chief was a limited appointee position that could be terminated at any time.

In light of the investigation's findings, it is important to note that the University of Wisconsin-Madison is taking appropriate actions to address the policy violations identified during the investigation.

The full investigative report is available for further review.