Allison Geyer
Former Madison Police Chief David Couper (second from right) speaks at a news conference alongside local officials and activists calling for an end to “militarized” police culture.
Even Madison Police Chief Mike Koval’s old mentor, former Police Chief David Couper, is suggesting a change in police department leadership could be in order.
“It’s never, never appropriate for the chief to be angry, sarcastic or bullying,” said Couper Tuesday, referring to Koval. “If he can’t take the heat, he should get the heck out of the kitchen.”
Couper joined other officials and residents at a news conference in front of the City County Building. They demanded significant changes to the Madison Police Department’s training procedures and use-of-force standards following the violent arrest of a black teenager. And several, like Couper, called Koval’s leadership into question.
Couper, who became a minister after retiring as chief in 1993, criticized Koval for his failure to balance the role of “police cheerleader” with his role as “chief of the community,” saying that police chiefs have a responsibility to both parties.
Couper’s comments echoed some of his recent blog posts, including one where he suggests that he had reached out to Koval but “was met with anger and an unwillingness to meet when [I] offered to be of help.”
At Tuesday’s media event, several people condemned the tactics used to subdue 18-year-old Genele Laird in a June 21 disturbance at East Towne Mall. Cellphone video of the arrest taken by a bystander shows a Madison police officer repeatedly punch, use knee strikes and deploy a Taser on the teen in an attempt to handcuff her. Police say Laird threatened a mall employee with a knife and was resisting arrest.
The video prompted several protests last week as Laird sat in jail awaiting charges. After some uncertainty over when her arraignment hearing would be, she was released the evening of June 23. The next day, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, who faces a primary challenge in August, announced that he would make an “exception” and conditionally drop charges against Laird, provided she complete the Dane County Community Restorative Court process.
Although some cheered the “successful resolution” of Laird’s case, others say it underscores problems with the criminal justice system.
“We need to center this in [Laird’s] humanity and the humanity of black people everywhere,” Brandi Grayson, a founder of Madison’s Young, Gifted and Black Coalition, said at Tuesday’s media event. “We’re not asking people to review if [the arrest was] lawful. It’s not about laws — it’s about justice.”
Grayson and others urged police reform, including adopting recommendations from President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which lays out “best practices” to fight crime while building trust with the public. She and Matthew Braunginn of YGB also called for Koval’s resignation.
Ald. Amanda Hall, who represents the city’s far east side, cautions against rash decisions. But, she tells Isthmus, “I think Madison is coming around to the idea that the chief isn’t the right fit for us.”
State Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) said at the conference that police need to listen. “This concept of the police, not as warriors but as guardians of our rights, as guardians of our safety — that’s how trust and legitimacy develops,” she said. “Communities that have been the most impacted by this warrior side of policing have to be heard, listened to, included and collaborated with. That is essential.”
Koval, who did not respond to an Isthmus request for comment, has defended his officers’ use of force in arresting Laird. He has also recently clashed with city officials on their decision to spend $400,000 to review MPD’s policies, training procedures and culture.
In a statement submitted after this story appeared in print, MPD spokesman Joel DeSpain noted that Koval "has been talking about the guardian mindset since the moment he first took office in 2014."
He adds that recent decades the department "has embraced community-based, trust-based policing philosophies, and the current command staff remains committed to best practices and continued improvement."
In January, the MPD responded to recommendations of the 21st Century Task Force, looking at each pillar while applying MPD’s current practices in adherence to the recommendations.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add comments from MPD.
