Time to suspend Police Civilian Oversight Board?

Alder moves to end PCOB!

At the very end of Tuesday’s Madison Common Council meeting Tuesday night 11-10-26, Alder Yanette Figueroa-Cole introduced legislation from the floor to “Amend MGO 5.20 to suspend operations of the PCOB.” The measure will be taken up at the next Common Council meeting, 11-24-26. (“Police monitor board pokes Madison Common Council.”)

Her action responds to the PCOB naming a former anti-cop alder, Rebecca Kemble, as the new interim police monitor despite a Council measure naming its chief of staff to run the troubled agency until a permanent monitor can be named.

Figueroa-Cole is a past president of the Council. Of the 20 alders, only Matthews and Glenn objected to its introduction.

→ The PCOB is holding a listening session from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday 11-12-26 at Mt. Zion Church, 2019 Fisher St., Madison, on “what they want to see in the next Police Monitor.”

Blaska’s Bottom Line: Can only hope that the entire police monitor function is scrapped. The City can offer a portal to the real independent police monitor, the statutorily authorized Police & Fire Commission.

Stay tuned for updates.