What did we tell you this week?
His last day is Monday. Vic Wahl will take over
Blaska Policy Werkes first broke this story four days ago (Wednesday 09-25-19). From his announcement:
If you have followed me as Chief, you know that I was raised by an Irish Catholic mom who provided the foundation for my faith life. So for those who may not be aware, we Catholics have a patron saint for literally everything and everyone. So it is only fitting that on September 29 — the feast day of St. Michael, the Guardian Archangel my namesake and confirmation saint–and the patron saint of police officers — that I would use this day to announce the end of my career at the MPD. For you see, I did my best to be a guardian to the community and a guardian to the “guardians” (cops).
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this community. Each day, I resolved to do my level best to keep “Camelot” a safe place to live, work, and play–for everyone.
This is the City where I was raised, went to grade school through college (and parts of my law school studies), met my wife here, began our family here, and provided me with the opportunity to make a difference as a street cop for a department that was (and is) firmly committed to community policing.
Koval says ‘The haters’ made him stick around longer
To the “haters,” thanks to you as well — for through your unrelenting, unforgiving, desire to make the police the brunt of all of your scorn, I drew strength from your pervasive and persistent bullying. I have made a career of fighting for the underdog and I was able to hang on much longer than I had originally planned (or that you had hoped)!
“My biggest fear in leaving my MPD Family as Chief? Who will protect the guardians when they are hurting, when they are tried in the court(s) of public opinion/Facebook/and the media without fundamental fairness and respect for due process?”
Needs 31 more police
Koval said he needs 31 more police, expressing frustration that he could not convince two mayors and several Common Councils. Said Madison needs 31 more sworn officers. That he diverted 12 positions away from other important areas over to patrol. “But this is not sustainable, folks.”
Koval also hinted that he could keep blogging about public safety. “This blog … may take a turn and be utilized differently. the only thing constant is “change,” right?!”
Blaska Policy Werkes 
16 responses to “Police chief Mike Koval announces retirement”
BIG TIME H/T to The Chief; I’m surprised he held on this long.
”To the ‘haters,’ thanks to you as well—for through your unrelenting, unforgiving, desire to make the police the brunt of all of your scorn—I drew strength from your pervasive and persistent bullying.”
Now; Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes?
The Gotch
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He will be missed ,but he deserves his well earned rest from such a demanding job.
He has been one of the smartest & kindest public servants Madison has ever seen.
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Police Chief Koval is a good Police Chief and a good man. We will miss him and Madison will miss him. We can only hope a person of integrity follows him.
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Thank you for your service Chief and best of luck to you and yours going forward.
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What a great Police Chief he has been. Who will try to fill the vacancy now in this city.
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Mike Koval is just a GREAT guy….and a great man! What a phenomenal police chief he has been. My parents and everyone I know just loved him. I don’t know how he’s going to be replaced. God Bless Police Chief Mike Koval.
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Glad to see Mike hurl a stinkbomb at the haters (i.e., our civic “leaders” and their minions). He also rightly identifies the cop-hating “court(s) of public opinion/Facebook/and the media” as the villians in this piece–to which he could have added the courts in Dane County and their revolving-door justice policy that allows serial thugs/car thieves to ply their trade unchecked.
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One of the best Police Chiefs in this country and his common-sense and humanity will be sorely missed. Chief Koval never avoided that tough local spotlight nor did he ever compromise his principal belief: the police enforce the laws.
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God bless Mike Koval, a great police chief.
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We don’t need 31 more cops. We need a culture that puts productive citizens first and actually enforces criminal law. We don’t have that in Madison. We have an unaccountable low T feminized bureaucracy that only serves its own interests. It feels sorry for derelicts, it won’t set them straight. Too hurty feeling. Start dealing with these low effort scolds and you’ll see results sooner rather than later.
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Given his reputation and his statement, Chief Koval is in NO danger of becoming police chief in Milwaukee. That’s his gain!!
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I’ve heard it said that everyone is replaceable; but we’ll see. With the exception of Paul Skidmore, the City Council has given Koval and MPD almost 6 years of back-stabbing discord. Who would want to take that on? No one should ever have to go through what he and his department did. What a shame and what a loss. Thank you, Chief Koval for your dedication and your endurance.
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Hey! Brenda Konkel is looking for a job. Whaddya say Mayor?
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Blaska has just been triggered!
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Mike Koval is a classic example of a guy whose record of personal strength, character and commitment far surpasses the petty haggling of the pea-brained ideologues who have hassled him. He will be missed, not easily replaced. It is to the city’s lasting benefit that he chooses to remain here as a resident, active in the community.
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So sad he is leaving. He was a remarkable person and a faithful and effective servant to the citizens of Madison. He will be missed.
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