Madison Leaders Starting Search for New Police Chief

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – Madison is starting its search for the next police chief. 

Former chief Shon Barnes officially left the city’s department February 1. His departure was announced amid the investigation into the December shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. 

Madison’s Police and Fire Commission is tasked with finding his replacement. They just went through this process in 2019-21, and Barnes was their pick.

The city of Madison has had four police chiefs in the last five years, when you count interim chiefs who took over during the candidate search. Right now John Patterson is in charge. He had Barnes’ endorsement to lead the department for now.

Now, the Police and Fire Commission is focused on finding someone who will stay awhile.

“Our last chief of police didn’t last long,” Commission member Veronica Figueroa Velez said at a meeting Tuesday night. “And we need a person with experience, that will really going to stick this time.” 

Previously, the job listing required candidates to have at least three years of experience in law endorsement leadership or management. At Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners decided to increase that to five years.