Alders Say Madison’s Police Monitor Broke the Rules. Their Plan to Fire Her Breaks Them Too.
Key Points
On October 20, the Madison Common Council will vote on a resolution to immediately end interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass’s appointment and put the Council’s chief of staff in charge of her office staff.
Madison’s ordinances required the Common Council to confirm Glass’s appointment and approve a written employment contract, but the Council did neither.
City Attorney Michael Haas says the Council can end Glass’s appointment because the City’s Personnel Rules classify it as provisional, but he has cited no ordinance authorizing such action.
Madison’s ordinances governing the Monitor’s position never mention a provisional appointment and exclude the position from the City’s civil service system and its Personnel Rules.
Since mid-August, City staff and alders, including Council President Sabrina Madison, have repeatedly ignored the Police Civilian Oversight Board’s role as Glass’s supervisor, violating Madison’s ordinances and the Council’s Code of Conduct.
As the Madison Common Council’s October 6 meeting drew to a close, District 2 Alder Will Ochowicz introduced a resolution from the floor to end the appointment of interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass.[1][2] The Council voted 18-2 to introduce the resolution, with Council Vice President Carmella Glenn and District 12 Alder Julia Matthews voting no.[3] The Council will take a final vote on Tuesday, October 20.[3]
The resolution, filed as Legistar 95140, would immediately end Glass’s appointment. Common Council Chief of Staff Karen Kapusta-Pofahl would supervise the staff of the Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM), the City office responsible for civilian oversight of the Madison Police Department (MPD). Kapusta-Pofahl would also work with the Finance Department to develop a scope of work for engaging the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE).[4] NACOLE is a national organization with expertise in civilian oversight.[5]
Legistar 95140 claims Glass failed to complete essential duties of her job, including serving as hiring manager for the search for a permanent Monitor. The resolution says her actions “constitute a breach of contract with the City.”[4] The resolution cites an August 31 memo from four City department heads, including City Attorney Michael Haas, and an October 2 employment review by Deputy City Attorney Patricia Lauten.[4][6][7]
Madison’s ordinances require the Common Council to confirm the Monitor’s appointment, but the Council never voted to confirm Glass. The City also never gave Glass the written employment contract, approved by Council resolution, that the ordinances require for her position.[8][9][10][11] Haas argues that the Council can end Glass’s appointment anyway because the City’s Personnel Rules classify it as provisional.[8] The ordinances governing the Monitor’s position never mention a provisional appointment and exclude the position from the Personnel Rules.[12][9][13][14]
Madison’s ordinances required the Common Council to confirm Glass and approve her employment contract, but the Council did neither
Madison General Ordinances (MGO) 5.19 and 5.20 establish the OIM and the Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB), a board of Madison residents that oversees the office.[9][13] Under MGO 5.19(2), the Monitor “shall be recruited, hired, and supervised by the Police Civilian Oversight Board.” MGO 5.19(4)(b) provides that “The appointment of the Monitor by the Board shall not be effective unless and until confirmed by the Common Council.”[9]
MGO 3.54(9) lists the Independent Police Monitor among the City’s managerial positions, alongside the City Attorney and the Human Resources Director.[10] The Monitor’s position falls within Compensation Group 21, a City pay group for managers.[15][10] MGO 3.54(9)(f) requires that every new position in Compensation Group 21, and every existing one as it becomes vacant, be filled through an employment contract approved by Council resolution.[10] Legistar 95140 describes Glass as “performing all of the duties of the position.”[4] Neither MGO 5.19 nor MGO 3.54(9)(f) makes an exception for an interim appointment.[9][10]
The board announced Glass’s hiring as interim Monitor on November 21, 2025.[16] The same day, the Human Resources Department sent Glass a letter calling her position a “provisional appointment,” effective December 8, 2025.[15] Human Resources Director Erin Stenson later wrote to board member Devon Snyder, now the board’s chair, “I relied on your appointment authority to make the initial interim appointment to the candidate of your choosing.”[11][17]
Haas wrote to a reporter on October 9 that “since this was an interim appointment, the Council did not confirm the appointment.”[8] Stenson wrote that Glass’s appointment did not follow the ordinance’s process for a permanent Monitor, citing “inadequate time for robust community engagement” and “no contract approved by Council.”[11] Glass told Madison365 that she did not sign an employment contract with the City.[3]
On June 9, the Council voted unanimously to extend Glass’s “provisional appointment” until the position is filled permanently, but no later than March 31, 2027.[18] The resolution, RES-26-00333, cites the City’s Personnel Rules and does not mention MGO 5.19(4)(b) or MGO 3.54(9)(f). RES-26-00333 also states, “the PCOB retains oversight over the Interim Independent Monitor which includes the ability to end the appointment at any time.”[18]
In October 2022, the board announced that Robin Copley, the previous Monitor, would start on December 5, 2022, pending Common Council approval.[19] Copley then worked under a five-year employment agreement with the City.[20][8] Under the agreement, the board supervised Copley. The board could discharge her for breaching a material provision only after notifying her in writing of the provisions she allegedly breached and meeting with her within 30 working days.[20]
The City Attorney says the Council can fire Glass under Personnel Rules that Madison’s ordinances say do not cover her job
On October 9, a reporter asked Haas which ordinance or other regulation authorizes the Council to fire the Monitor. Haas replied, “It is a combination of ordinances and the City’s hiring procedures.” He cited MGO 5.19(4) only for the permanent Monitor. For Glass, he relied on the Personnel Rules, which he wrote allow the Human Resources Director to approve a provisional appointment for six months. “So, just as the Council had authority to extend the provisional appointment, it has the authority to revoke or terminate the appointment,” Haas wrote.[8]
Haas told Madison365 that RES-26-00333’s statement that the board could end Glass’s appointment “does not affect the Council’s authority.” He added, “In my opinion the resolution (to terminate the interim appointment) is legal and enforceable.”[3] At the board’s October 16 meeting, he repeatedly called Glass’s appointment provisional.[21] District 14 Alder Noah Lieberman wrote that “talks with the city attorneys and other members of the council” led him to conclude that the Council could act. One reason he gave is that Glass’s interim position “remains a provisional appointment for the length of that term.”[22]
Haas’s email and his comments to reporters cite no ordinance or statute that makes Glass’s appointment provisional. The term provisional does not appear in MGO chapter 3, which governs City officials and employees, or in MGO 5.19 and 5.20.[12][9][13]
MGO 3.53(1) establishes the City’s civil service system and defines it to include “the City of Madison Personnel Rules.” The same section excludes “All positions in Compensation Group 21” and “All non-permanent appointments” from the system.[14] Glass’s job is in Compensation Group 21, and the City does not treat her appointment as permanent. Under MGO 3.53(1), the Personnel Rules do not apply to her appointment on either ground. Stenson wrote to Snyder that Glass’s appointment “is considered non-civil service and provisional.”[11]
MGO 3.035 governs the Council’s own chief of staff, another position that MGO 3.53(1)(i) exempts from the civil service system. MGO 3.035(4) makes the chief of staff “subject to the authority of the Common Council to impose formal discipline or discharge as provided in section (9) of the City of Madison Personnel Rules.”[23] MGO 5.19 contains no such provision for the Monitor.[9]
Lieberman wrote that Stenson, “with input from the City Attorneys,” told Glass and the board that “all permanent position hires in the city must go through a ‘Civil Service Process.’” According to Lieberman, Stenson also told them that “a provisional hire can be appointed and have their contract extended by the council.”[22] MGO 3.53(1)(i) excludes the permanent Monitor position from the civil service system.[14]
City officials and sponsors of Legistar 95140 describe Glass’s employment terms in different ways. Lauten’s review says Glass’s “written appointment was for an agreed-upon contractual term of 6 to 9 months.”[7] The Human Resources Director wrote in a June 1 memo for alders that “we anticipated the interim appointment would need to be for approximately 12 months.”[24] District 10 Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole, a sponsor, writes, “The applicable agreement and contract terms, not the ordinance, govern the process for ending an employment arrangement.”[5] District 5 Alder Regina Vidaver, another sponsor, writes that Glass “does not have the standard employment contract that applies to permanent agency heads.”[25] Haas wrote that “Provisional appointees do not have written contracts.”[8] Legistar 95140 does not identify the contract Glass breached or the terms she violated.[4]
Since mid-August, City staff and alders, including Council President Sabrina Madison, have ignored the board’s role as Glass’s supervisor
Under MGO 5.19(5) and 5.20(9)(a), the Monitor reports directly to the board, which supervises the Monitor.[9][13] Figueroa Cole writes, “The ordinance gives the Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB) the authority to recruit, appoint, and supervise the Independent Monitor.”[5] Lieberman writes that “the power to supervise the Independent Monitor falls to the PCOB and its Executive Subcommittee.” Both Figueroa Cole and Lieberman will vote for the resolution.[5][22]
The Elected and Appointed Official Code of Conduct, last amended by the Council on November 25, 2025, applies to all elected and appointed City officials, including on social media. The Code states, “Concerns about staff behavior or performance must be raised privately and professionally with the staff member’s direct supervisor.” The Code also states, “Personnel matters shall not be discussed in public forums,” and instructs officials to “Avoid discussing personnel matters or the performance of individual staff members with the media or press.” The Code does not bar the Council from discussing City affairs at a duly convened meeting, such as Tuesday’s.[26]
On September 5, 2025, Vidaver, then the Council President, and former Alder MGR Govindarajan, then the Council Vice President, sent their concerns about Copley’s performance to the board’s Executive Committee. Their letter stated they wanted the committee to have “all relevant information as they determine next steps.”[27]
Before mid-August, City staff took some concerns about Glass to the board. Stenson spoke with Maia Pearson, then the board’s chair, on April 1 about overtime worked by OIM staff. On August 4, Haas emailed Pearson about Glass’s attempt to hire an outside attorney without a City contract. He wrote, “As the supervising body for the Independent Monitor, the PCOB should determine whether it approves of this action.”[6]
After Madison asked on August 12 for a summary of OIM issues, City staff sent their concerns to her. Haas, Stenson, Finance Director David Schmiedicke, and Information Technology Director Sarah Edgerton addressed their August 31 memo to Madison, who had requested it and planned to share it with other alders. The memo lists no copy to the board.[6] Lauten wrote that her October 2 review responds to inquiries from the public and alders. She addressed the review to Kapusta-Pofahl, and it went to all alders and many news outlets that day.[7][2] Pearson told Madison365 that Haas did not provide the review to the board. Glass said she learned about the review from a reporter’s email.[3]
On October 7, Madison wrote to Glass, not to the board that supervises her, about the concerns in the memo and the review. Madison invited Glass to respond to ten numbered requests by October 13. The letter instructed Glass to send her response to Kapusta-Pofahl for the Council to consider and gave her six days to respond in writing, with no meeting.[28] The letter lists no copy to the board, and board member Helyn Luisi-Mills told me the board did not receive one.[29]
Every sponsor has written publicly about the case against Glass. Vidaver, Ochowicz, Figueroa Cole, District 13 Alder Tag Evers, and District 3 Alder Derek Field, who signed on after the resolution was introduced, wrote City blog posts.[25][30][5][31][32] Madison’s October 9 blog post repeated a finding from the August 31 memo, and her District 17 Facebook page shared Vidaver’s post.[33][34] Lieberman and District 15 Alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford, who are not sponsors, published posts supporting the resolution.[22][35][31]
Alders also discussed Glass with reporters. Ochowicz told WORT that the resolution focuses on “the failure of the interim monitor to meet her job duties and find the permanent independent monitor.”[1] An alder who would not go on the record told Channel 3000, “It should’ve happened a long time ago.”[36]
On September 15, I asked Madison and the Council to seek the board’s response to the August 31 memo. On October 7, I asked five sponsors, Ochowicz, Madison, Evers, Figueroa Cole, and Vidaver, what the Council had done to work with the board on the Council’s concerns about Glass. None of the five answered my questions. Vidaver replied that she had just published a blog post and would not provide additional details.[37]
The oversight board, not Glass, is responsible for recruiting the permanent Monitor
MGO 5.19(4)(a) makes the board responsible for recruiting and appointing the Monitor through a process that “includes broad community-based outreach.”[9] The interim job posting designated Glass as the hiring manager for the search, and under MGO 5.19(5), Glass reports to the board.[38][9]
The Human Resources Director’s June 1 memo lists who does what in the search. A Human Resources analyst provides “all initial documentation” and drafts the job posting. As hiring manager, Glass gives final approval for the posting, and the board approves major parts of the process and makes the final selection. The memo also says that because Glass could perform all of the job’s duties, “we decided to focus on the onboarding process for the interim IM before starting the process of posting for the permanent position.”[24]
As of Lauten’s October 2 review, the search had no approved position description and no job posting.[7] Vidaver writes that at its June 18 meeting, the board reviewed a plan to post the job in September and to complete Council action on a hire in January 2027. She also writes that board members discussed hiring Glass directly, though the interim job posting made Glass ineligible for the permanent job. Vidaver further writes that at its September 16 meeting, the board described a delay as reasonable following the police killing of Corey Ruiz on July 22.[25]
RES-26-00333, adopted June 9, states that the board anticipated community engagement before posting the position, “which will occur no earlier than September, 2026.”[18] Linda Lehnertz, in written comments for Tuesday’s meeting, points out that Ochowicz introduced Legistar 95140 a week after September ended.[39]
In an October 14 email to alders, Glass wrote that in late April or May she told the board in a memo that she “was not interested in a competitive process for the permanent role.” She added that she would consider a direct board appointment only with additional public engagement, and that she asked the board “to consider pausing the permanent hiring process.”[30] Madison’s October 7 letter asked Glass, “Did you, or do you, intend to continue as the permanent police monitor?”[28]
Ochowicz faults Glass for asking the board to delay the search “without communicating this to the Common Council until yesterday,” meaning October 14.[30] Under MGO 5.19(5), Glass reports to the board, not the Council.[9] Matthews questioned whether Glass should be responsible for finding her replacement. She told the Wisconsin State Journal that the board, which makes the final hiring decision, would be better suited to lead the search.[40]
City staff and the sponsors describe problems with Glass’s work, while Glass and the board dispute them
The August 31 memo reports that Dr. Victor Weedn assisted with an OIM investigation without an approved City contract. The memo says Glass had not provided a contract despite Haas’s requests on July 31 and August 6.[6] MGO 5.19(7)(h) requires the Monitor, when engaging independent contractors such as investigators, to “follow all City of Madison contracting requirements.”[9]
The City’s administrative procedure memoranda (APMs) are work rules governing contracting, telework, leave, and other matters.[25] Glass wrote to Haas on July 31, “As you know, we do not have to comply with APMs other than what we do in good faith when I feel comfortable doing so.” In an August 31 email, Glass argued that the APMs operate under the Mayor and that MGO 5.19(6) makes the OIM independent of the Mayor.[6] Copley’s employment agreement required the Monitor to follow all applicable work rules, including the APMs.[20]
In March 2026, Govindarajan proposed amending MGO 5.19, in Legistar 92386, to require the OIM to follow the APMs.[41] On July 27, Madison announced that she, Figueroa Cole, Field, and Ochowicz had agreed to withdraw their names from the pending amendments, a decision she wrote: “effectively ends those proposed amendments.” Madison wrote that Pearson told her the board wanted the amendment process to end “so we can move toward a more restorative and collaborative path forward.”[42] Lehnertz writes that Govindarajan’s proposal shows “there is some question of whether the OIM is subject to the APMs.”[39]
On September 9, the Dane County Circuit Court entered an order of protection for an MPD officer against Glass based on her on-the-job actions, according to Lauten’s review.[7] Vidaver reports that the Green Bay Police Department was hired to review Glass’s August 4 encounter with MPD. She writes that the department referred two felony battery counts and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing police against Glass.[25] Glass wrote on Facebook that MPD assaulted her and that the order was granted by default while she was out of state on a family emergency.[43]
RES-26-00333, which the Council adopted unanimously on June 9, states that Glass “has been fulfilling all duties and responsibilities required in the position of Interim Independent Police Monitor” since December 2025.[18] Vidaver credits Glass with “several successes,” including a thorough annual report and an effective case intake and management software system.[25] On October 19, the board announced that its evaluation of Glass “found that Monitor Glass performed at a high level across every category.” The board also identified areas for growth, including “rebuilding relationships with key stakeholders.”[17]
Ochowicz, Vidaver, and other supporters say the search has barely begun and that they have lost confidence in Glass and the board
Ochowicz writes, “Trust is low between the Common Council, the PCOB, and the public.” He also writes, “What is going on right now is clearly not working, and we need to do better.”[30] Vidaver writes, “I do not believe Interim Monitor Glass is the person to ensure this oversight is performed objectively.” She adds that a board member’s public support for Glass “does not engender a sense of objectivity of this Board.”[25]
Lieberman writes that he would ideally trust the board to supervise Glass “as the ordinance requires, but the ongoing nature of some of these issues has led me to lose faith in their willingness to do so.”[22] Lieberman also writes that he believes “the intent of the ordinance is to protect the Independent Monitor from undue Council influence into their investigations and police reform responsibilities.” Lieberman adds that those are not the reasons for the resolution.[22] Figueroa Cole writes that “the work expected under the provisional appointment extended by the Common Council has not been fulfilled” and that “we have the support of NACOLE.”[5]
Martinez-Rutherford writes that Glass’s refusal to follow the APMs “sets a disturbing precedent.” She also writes that Kapusta-Pofahl can move between her Council role and the office “in a manner that is thoughtful and consistent with the independence that is required by the ordinances.”[35] Evers writes that Glass “has traded impartiality and objectivity for the passion of an activist.”[31]
Residents can email alders or register to speak before the Common Council’s October 20 vote
The Common Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20. You can email all 20 alders at allalders@cityofmadison.com and register to speak at https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/meeting-schedule/register.
Bottom Line: The Common Council should take its concerns about Aeiramique Glass to the Police Civilian Oversight Board and follow the rules the Council asks Glass to follow
Concerns about Glass’s performance are legitimate, and I share some of them. The search for a permanent Monitor has barely begun, and MGO 5.19(7)(h) requires the OIM to comply with City contracting requirements. What Glass has accomplished does not excuse those problems.
Glass’s problems do not give a Council majority the authority the City’s ordinances give the board. MGO 5.19(6)(b) states, “No City employee or official shall attempt to use their political or administrative position to unduly influence or undermine the independence of the Monitor or any employee of the OIM in the performance of their duties and responsibilities as set forth in this Ordinance.”[9] That language covers every duty the ordinance assigns the Monitor, not only the investigations and police reform responsibilities that Lieberman names. The August 31 memo and Lauten’s review, which Legistar 95140 cites, fault Glass for how she handled duties the ordinance assigns her, including contracting. A Council vote to remove a Monitor whom the board appoints and supervises would violate MGO 5.19(6)(b).
In my view, the City Attorney’s office has failed at its basic job: telling City officials what the law requires. The City put Glass to work without the Council’s confirmation and the contract that the ordinances require. On August 4, Haas wrote that the board is “the supervising body for the Independent Monitor.” Now he says the Council can fire her under Personnel Rules that the ordinances say do not apply to her job, and he cites no ordinance making her appointment provisional. He calls Legistar 95140 legal and enforceable, even though it accuses Glass of breaching a contract and he says provisional appointees have no written contracts. His deputy’s review went to all alders and many news outlets, but not to the board that supervises Glass.
If the Council passes Legistar 95140, candidates for the permanent position will learn that a Council majority can remove the Monitor without the board, contrary to MGO 5.19(6)(b). Residents will learn that the Council ignores the board when the two disagree, and fewer may want to serve on it.
Legistar 95140 would also have Kapusta-Pofahl develop a scope of work to engage NACOLE “to support the Common Council’s commitment to police oversight.”[4] NACOLE’s principles for effective oversight, which Matthews quoted, describe independence as “an absence of real or perceived influence from law enforcement, political actors, and other special interests looking to affect the operations of the civilian oversight agency.”[44] The Council cannot honor NACOLE’s principles and remove the Monitor without the board in the same resolution.
The Council should raise its concerns with the board, as Council leaders did with Copley in 2025, and adhere to its own Code of Conduct. No sponsor has described any step the Council took to bring its concerns to the board before Ochowicz introduced Legistar 95140. The board, which has now evaluated Glass, should approve a position description, post the permanent position, and report to the Council on the search.
Legistar 95140 asks the Council to remove Glass for not following City rules, while the Council ignores the ordinances and the Code that govern its own conduct. The rules are for thee, and not for me.
77SquareMiles.com covers the votes, the money, and the process at Madison City Hall that mainstream media misses.
© Alex Saloutos 2026.
Footnotes
[1] Isabel Konty and WORT News Department, “City Council To Consider Canning Contentious Independent Monitor,” WORT 89.9 FM, October 7, 2026, https://www.wortfm.org/city-council-to-consider-canning-contentious-independent-monitor/
[2] Alder Julia Matthews, District 12 blog, “Framework to Evaluate Resolution to Terminate the Interim Independent Monitor,” October 13, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/node/127751
[3] Robert Chappell, “Council moves toward terminating independent police monitor,” Madison365, October 7, 2026, https://madison365.com/council-moves-toward-terminating-independent-police-monitor/
[4] City of Madison Common Council, Resolution, “To terminate the appointment of the Interim Independent Police Monitor effective immediately,” Legistar File No. 95140, introduced October 6, 2026, https://madison.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8280436&GUID=868643F5-DDD9-440F-8E7E-AA7BA82CE9F6
[5] Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole, District 10 blog, “News, Events, Local News-PCOB Meeting and OIM Termination Resolution,” October 17, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district10/blog/2026-10-17/news-events-local-news-pcob-meeting-and-oim-termination
[6] Finance Director David Schmiedicke, Human Resources Director Erin Stenson, City Attorney Michael Haas, and City IT Director Sarah Edgerton, memorandum to Council President Sabrina Madison, “Request for Information,” August 31, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district17/documents/Request%20for%20Information%20-%20Admin%20and%20OIM%20with%20attachments.pdf
[7] Deputy City Attorney Patricia Lauten, memorandum to Common Council Chief of Staff Karen Kapusta-Pofahl, “Employment Review of Interim Independent Monitor (IIM),” October 2, 2026, https://madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=16055660&GUID=4873C808-B305-4657-BBE9-9C23F8241F3B
[8] City Attorney Michael Haas, email to a reporter, October 9, 2026, copy on file with 77SquareMiles.com
[9] Madison General Ordinances § 5.19, Office of the Independent Police Monitor, https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOICH1--10_CH5PODEPORE_5.19OFINPOMO
[10] Madison General Ordinances § 3.54(9), Compensation of Managerial Employees, https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances
[11] Human Resources Director Erin Stenson, email to Police Civilian Oversight Board member Devon Snyder, October 13, 2026, copy on file with 77SquareMiles.com
[12] Madison General Ordinances, chapter 3, Officials, Boards, Employees and Public Records, https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances
[13] Madison General Ordinances § 5.20, Police Civilian Oversight Board, https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOICH1--10_CH5PODEPORE_5.20POCIOVBO
[14] Madison General Ordinances § 3.53, Civil Service System, https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOICH1--10_CH3OFBOEMPURE_SUBCHAPTER_3CCOCISE_3.53CISESY
[15] City of Madison Human Resources Department, letter to Aeiramique Glass, November 21, 2025, Exhibit B to Deputy City Attorney Patricia Lauten’s October 2, 2026 employment review, https://madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=16055660&GUID=4873C808-B305-4657-BBE9-9C23F8241F3B
[16] City of Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board, news release, “Police Civilian Oversight Board selects Interim Independent Monitor,” November 21, 2025, https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-11-21/police-civilian-oversight-board-selects-interim-independent-monitor
[17] City of Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board, news release, “Police Civilian Oversight Board Completes Evaluation of Interim Independent Police Monitor,” October 19, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2026-10-19/police-civilian-oversight-board-completes-evaluation-of-interim-independent-police
[18] City of Madison Common Council, RES-26-00333, “Approving an extension of a provisional appointment for Aeiramique Glass from June 8, 2026, until such time as the position of Independent Police Monitor is filled on a permanent basis or March 31, 2027,” Legistar File No. 93167, adopted June 9, 2026, https://madison.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8026238&GUID=8078064C-4550-433E-AB4E-31D905F0669A
[19] City of Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board, news release, “City of Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board Announces Robin Copley as Independent Police Monitor,” October 28, 2022, https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2022-10-28/city-of-madison-police-civilian-oversight-board-announces-robin-copley-as
[20] City of Madison, employment agreement with the Independent Police Monitor, October 31, 2022, Sections IV(A), VI(C), VI(D), and VII(A), https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wo6fvi6n5x4abodhkkn7l/221031_COPLEY_EMPLOYMENTAGREEMENT.pdf?rlkey=3diohy1q7tkvidl0nnegaao4y&dl=0
[21] City of Madison Police Civilian Oversight Board, special meeting video, October 16, 2026, https://media.cityofmadison.com/mediasite/Showcase/madison-city-channel/Presentation/adb79b1e46b4469bb531d6bb682b0b551d
[22] Alder Noah L. Lieberman, District 14 blog, “On The Vote to Terminate Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeramique Glass,” October 15, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district14/blog/2026-10-15/on-the-vote-to-terminate-interim-independent-police-monitor
[23] Madison General Ordinances § 3.035, Office of the Common Council and Common Council Chief of Staff, https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances
[24] City of Madison Director of Human Resources, memorandum to Council President Sabrina Madison, “Recruitment Process for Independent Police Monitor (IM),” June 1, 2026, attachment to Legistar File No. 93167, https://madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15520691&GUID=CB498FA7-0059-4904-9625-8807FFC22A5A
[25] Alder Regina M. Vidaver, District 5 blog, “To Preserve Civilian Oversight in Madison, Interim Monitor Glass Must Go,” October 9, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district5/blog/2026-10-09/to-preserve-civilian-oversight-in-madison-interim-monitor-glass
[26] City of Madison Common Council, Elected and Appointed Official Code of Conduct, as amended November 25, 2025, RES-25-00596, Legistar File No. 87483, https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/about/elected-and-appointed-official-code-of-ethical-conduct
[27] Council President Regina Vidaver and Council Vice President MGR Govindarajan, letter to the Police Civilian Oversight Board Executive Committee, September 5, 2025, https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dbckplqf6a8dirniuzoa1/250905_LETTER_MGR-PCOBEXECUTIVECOMMITTEE-Alds.-Vidaver-Govindarajan-Letter-of-Concern-to-PCOB-Chair-Pearson-Sept.-5-2025-Version-2.pdf?rlkey=65atixi111qjicp9455d0fi46&dl=0
[28] Council President Sabrina V. Madison, letter to Aeiramique Glass, October 7, 2026, https://madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=16072749&GUID=F1ACE22B-4EDE-4DF9-BB6F-6DE4B657135F
[29] Police Civilian Oversight Board member Helyn Luisi-Mills, email to the author, October 17, 2026, copy on file with 77SquareMiles.com
[30] Alder Will Ochowicz, District 2 blog, “About the resolution to terminate Interim Monitor Glass’ appointment,” October 15, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district2/blog/2026-10-15/about-the-resolution-to-terminate-interim-monitor-glass
[31] Alder Tag Evers, District 13 blog, “Tuesday’s Vote to Terminate the Provisional Appointment of the Interim Independent Police Monitor,” October 17, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district13/blog/2026-10-17/tuesdays-vote-to-terminate-the-provisional-appointment-of-the
[32] Alder Derek Field, District 3 blog, “City Meetings and Updates Week of October 12,” October 11, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/node/127631
[33] Council President Sabrina V. Madison, District 17 blog, “Status of the re-review of Mr. Richard Lee Johnson’s case based on Interim Independent Police Monitor, Aeiramique Glass report,” October 9, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/node/127521
[34] Alder Sabrina Madison, District 17 Facebook page, post sharing Alder Regina Vidaver’s October 9, 2026 blog post, saved October 11, 2026, copy on file with 77SquareMiles.com
[35] Alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford, District 15 blog, “Police Oversight & The Office of The Independent Monitor,” October 15, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district15/blog/2026-10-15/police-oversight-the-office-of-the-independent-monitor
[36] Maggie Degnan, “Multiple Madison council members support firing police monitor,” Channel 3000, October 7, 2026, https://www.channel3000.com/news/multiple-madison-council-members-support-firing-police-monitor/article_5463b84d-7c6f-4813-9aab-79bfc9a1e2de.html
[37] Alex Saloutos, memorandum to Council President Sabrina Madison and the Common Council, September 15, 2026; Alex Saloutos, emails to Alders Will Ochowicz, Sabrina Madison, Tag Evers, Yannette Figueroa Cole, and Regina Vidaver, October 7, 2026; and Alder Regina Vidaver, email to the author, October 9, 2026; copies on file with 77SquareMiles.com
[38] City of Madison, job posting, “Interim Independent Police Monitor,” October 2025, Exhibit A to Deputy City Attorney Patricia Lauten’s October 2, 2026 employment review, https://madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=16055660&GUID=4873C808-B305-4657-BBE9-9C23F8241F3B
[39] Linda Lehnertz, written comments to the Common Council on Legistar File No. 95140, Agenda #79, meeting of October 20, 2026, https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/giq0spth84b027pp8gk8t/261019_MEMO_LEHNERTZ_PUBLICCOMMENTS-Legistar-95140.pdf?rlkey=5h8ajgy1uktgsrs368dlzpeum&dl=0
[40] George Wiebe, “Madison City Council weighs firing interim police monitor before her appointment expires,” Wisconsin State Journal, October 8, 2026, https://madison.com/news/local/government-politics/article_20a941f7-a7d0-4398-834d-4102b9f386be.html
[41] City of Madison Common Council, Ordinance, “Amending Subsections 5.19(6) and (8) and creating Subsection 5.20(11) of the Madison General Ordinances to add public reporting requirements for the Office of the Independent Monitor and Police Civilian Oversight Board,” Legistar File No. 92386, including “92386 Govindarajan Amendment 2,” https://madison.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7956235&GUID=71B84AF6-A5D3-4414-97AF-5E5338B41253
[42] Council President Sabrina V. Madison, news release, “Statement from Common Council President Sabrina Madison on amendments to the Office of the Independent Monitor and the Police Civilian Oversight Board ordinances,” July 27, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2026-07-27/statement-from-common-council-president-sabrina-madison-on-amendments-to-the-office
[43] Aeiramique Glass, Facebook post, October 9, 2026, copy on file with 77SquareMiles.com
[44] Alder Julia Matthews, District 12 blog, “Potential Partnership with NACOLE: Criteria and Principles for Effective and Meaningful Civilian Oversight,” October 18, 2026, https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district12/blog/2026-10-18/potential-partnership-with-nacole-criteria-and-principles-for
![On September 8, the Common Council took up a resolution to move $28,500 from the City’s contingent reserve, the fund it keeps for unanticipated expenses, to the Office of the Independent Monitor. The money would have made the office’s part-time data analyst full-time through the end of the year and paid for training.[1] Council President Sabrina Madison voted no, and in her comments during the debate she referred her colleagues to a memo she had requested from City staff and posted on her blog six days earlier.[2][8] The motion to adopt failed, 7 to 12.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/668754_f6d904eb25604ec5b1e8d79545e48328~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_476,h_594,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/668754_f6d904eb25604ec5b1e8d79545e48328~mv2.jpg)
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