Madison Reporter

MADISON, July 11, 2024 — The Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB) is seeking nominations from the community to fill multiple vacancies on the Board. The PCOB works with the City of Madison’s Office of the Independent Police Monitor (OIM) to review and make recommendations regarding police discipline, use of force, and other policies. Additionally, the PCOB will engage in community activities, supervise the rollout of the complaint process this summer, and draft policy recommendations.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit applications before August. Nominees must reside within city limits at the time of appointment and should not have prior law enforcement experience with the Madison Police Department or as an officer in Wisconsin in the past ten years. Board members are expected to attend two meetings per month during their four-year term and maintain regular attendance at both full board meetings and subcommittee sessions.

The PCOB aims for a diverse composition reflecting various lived experiences and identities, including homelessness, mental health issues, substance abuse histories, racial and ethnic diversity, LGBTQ+ membership, and affiliations with relevant organizations. Applications can be submitted via email to pcob@cityofmadison.com.

In addition to seeking board members, the PCOB is accepting applications from attorneys in Madison who wish to represent individuals filing complaints against City of Madison Police Officers before the City’s Police and Fire Commission (PFC). Attorneys on this list must have relevant experience and charge no more than $200 per hour. Selected attorneys may be appointed by the OIM to represent vetted complaints deemed to have “arguable merit,” with up to $15,000 of their fees covered by the city per complaint.

Attorneys interested in joining this list should submit an application along with a resume or C.V., cover letter detailing relevant skills and expertise, and three references. The PCOB may contact applicants for further information during their review process.

Finally, Robin Copley has returned from medical leave as Independent Police Monitor. They announced hiring an Office Manager starting July 22nd and resuming recruitment for a Data Analyst 2 position. To prevent future disruptions due to unexpected absences, a Continuation of Operations Plan will be discussed at tonight's virtual meeting of the PCOB Policy and Procedure Subcommittee at 6:00 pm.