Board Outlines Steps for Police Monitor Hire
The Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board is seeking community input as it moves toward hiring a permanent independent police monitor.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board has outlined next steps for hiring a permanent independent police monitor. The process includes community engagement, a resident survey on desired qualities for the monitor, and a series of listening sessions.
Why it matters
The independent monitor will play a role in overseeing police accountability in Madison, and the hiring process is designed to incorporate resident input on what qualities the community wants in that position.
The hiring of a permanent independent police monitor is at an early stage, with community listening sessions scheduled for Thursday and November 19 and a full board meeting set for December 16. The extraction does not indicate the number of applicants or a selection timeline beyond that meeting.
The players
Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board
The Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board is a city body that oversees police conduct and policy and is responsible for hiring the independent police monitor.
Freedom Inc.
Freedom Inc. is a Madison-based community organization focused on social justice and community organizing that co-hosted the listening session.
The details
The process will gather community input through a resident survey asking what qualities residents want in a monitor and through listening sessions, including one co-hosted with Freedom Inc. at Mount Zion Baptist Church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. A community engagement subcommittee will meet November 25 to discuss the listening sessions and survey results before the full board meets.
Timeline
Thursday: Community listening session co-hosted with Freedom Inc. at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
November 19: Virtual community listening session.
November 25: Community engagement subcommittee meets to discuss the listening sessions and survey.
December 16: Full board meeting.
Legal Context
The board's hiring of a permanent independent monitor builds on Madison's civilian oversight structure as it seeks to add a dedicated independent watchdog for police operations. The community-driven selection process reflects a model in which residents help define the qualities sought in that oversight role.
Madison residents can attend the Thursday listening session at Mount Zion Baptist Church or the virtual session on November 19 to share what they want from the independent monitor. Their input will be considered as the board works toward hiring the position.
The takeaway
Residents who want a say in police oversight in Madison have several opportunities to weigh in before the board's December 16 meeting. Attending a listening session or completing the resident survey are direct ways to shape the monitor position.
What happens next
Community listening sessions are scheduled for Thursday and November 19, the engagement subcommittee meets November 25, and the full board meets December 16 to advance the hiring process.
Further reading
For more on how police accountability works locally, see Law Enforcement coverage in Madison.
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