Chief Koval's Podcast

The number of critical incidents to which officers are responding is trending dramatically upwards this year. Helping them cope with baby deaths, teen suicides, gunshot victims and other serious calls is Tresa Martinez. She is the Administrator of Madison's Employee Assistance Program, and works hands-on with first responders as they try to manage stress. Martinez joins the podcast to talk about just how important her team is right now, and why other departments across the country should be looking to have similar assistance in place.

MPD subject matter expert sounds an alarm In this podcast Madison Police Traffic Specialist Deanna Reilly - a respected subject matter expert on the topic of impaired driving - talks about the alarming number of cases where marijuana using motorists are getting behind the wheel, creating danger on our roadways. Reilly looks to Colorado and Washington State to show how pot legalization can be tied to tragic consequences. Chief Koval is on record favoring legalizing marijuana. It all makes for an engaging podcast as he and Officer Reilly respectfully faceoff on the subject.

The intriguing journey of a new MPD recruit Officer Chelsea Wetjen grew up on an Iowa farm, studied animal husbandry in college and worked for a yogurt company upon graduation. She found her way to law school, the Dane County District Attorney’s office, and is now getting ready to fly solo as a brand new MPD officer. Her story is unique, but not unusual when you look at the diverse backgrounds of those who have felt the calling to serve the Madison community. Find out why a candid conversation with recruit officer Wetjen makes Chief Koval well up with pride. It’s all on this podcast.

The days of missile throwing, turning over squad cars, and demanding an end to war are but a memory, yet that which started during the Vietnam War continues on. Students and other merrymakers will soon be gathering on Mifflin St. for what has become a rite of passage in Madison each spring. The MPD has been working with residents in the run-up to the party on expectations and what will be tolerated by officers. In years past, the festivities have come in May, but this year the Mifflin party is slated for April 28th. Lt. Brian Austin, from the MPD’s Central District, joins Chief Koval in this podcast to talk all things “Miffland.”

There was a time when the MPD responded to protests with nightsticks and riot gear. Now the department is recognized nationally for how its Special Event Team keeps rallies, marches, and large gatherings peaceful. In this podcast, SET leader Capt. Tom Snyder joins Chief Koval to talk about the training and the mindset that has produced phenomenal success.

The MPD has a team of forensic investigators, and none has more experience than Dan Roman. In this podcast Investigator Roman provides insight into how he goes about fitting pieces to complex crime scene puzzles together. The veteran officer also tells listeners what you can actually do with modern technology to solve crimes, and why some of what you see on TV is nothing more than fiction.

Recently, California based OIR group provided the City of Madison with 146 recommendations for the Madison Police Department. In response, Asst. Chief Vic Wahl addressed all suggestions in a MPD report. Now, in this podcast, Asst. Chief Wahl identifies what he sees as the top recommendation from OIR, and how implementing it might vastly improve relationships with the community. Chief Koval also provides his perspective on what is seen as an important roadmap to the MPD’s future.

Officer Carrie Hemming makes a repeat appearance on the podcast as she talks about how specialized medical training is enabling officers to save many lives. Officer Hemming, who is also an advanced EMT and a registered nurse, is one of those training new recruits and veteran officers. In this podcast she explores the significant evolution of first aid education for first responders, and highlights some of the crucial medical supplies now being carries by MPD officers.

The MPD’s FAA certified “drone” pilots can now deploy around the clock, and the technology at their fingertips continues to get even better. For instance, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems, utilized by the MPD, can now pick up, transport, and safely deliver objects like communication devices or first aid kits. In this podcast, the team’s “Top Gun,” Lt. Mike Hanson, talks about how his unit is being used to find lost people and fugitives, gather criminal intelligence, and monitor large crowds.

There are about 1000 registered sex offenders living in Dane County, with over half listing City of Madison addresses. In this podcast, Criminal Intelligence Section Officer Scott Favour talks about how his unit joins forces with State Department of Corrections to monitor offenders. Favour also describes ways in which the MPD gets important information out to the community, particularly in cases where high profile registrants are coming to live in Wisconsin’s capital city.

Det. Roger Baker, of the Special Victims Unit, is a MPD subject matter expert in human trafficking. In this podcast Det. Baker talks about how and why more young women are being victimized by manipulative pimps. He also provides guidance to parents and other loved ones about potential warning signs.

Det. Deb Plantz joins the podcast to talk about a rise in a despicable type of fraud. These are cases where smooth-talking scam artists target grandparents, and in some cases, have gotten away with tens of thousands of dollars. Host Joel DeSpain and Chief Koval also talk with Det. Plantz about other recent cons. It is hoped the podcast will prevent more from being victimized.

Recently the MPD learned it would not be getting any federal grant money to hire additional police officers in 2018. The bad news comes at a time when the Department is in a serious need of bolstering the patrol services ranks. The new Midtown Police District will be up and running this year, and the city’s annexation of the Town of Madison is looming, both of which will necessitate additional staffing. In this podcast Chief Mike Koval talks about next steps, why he thinks the feds might be kinder a year from now, and why he remains hopeful that city leaders will come through with funds to hire at least a few new officers next year.

The number of active shooter cases around the country has raised concern across the greater Madison community as many wonder what they would do if – forbid - they got caught up in a volatile situation with and armed suspect. In this podcast one of a team of MPD subject matter experts, Officer Carrie Hemming talks about Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training sessions that are frequently presented by her group. Hemming gives listeners with some of the top tips for staying alive and staying safe.

Recently, the MPD launched a Twitter campaign titled #NightlyLockup, and is has created a buzz in the media and across the community. In this podcast, West District Capt. Cory Nelson, joins Chief Mike Koval to talk about how a rash of gun thefts from unlocked cars inspired him to push the campaign forward.  The creative endeavor now includes a billboard blitz, and will be tweaked frequently to include more crime prevention topics.

They range in age from 14 to 20, and come from around Dane County. All are members of the MPD’s popular Explorer Post 911. In this podcast, post leader, Lt. Lori Chalecki sits down with Chief Koval to talk about all the program offers, and why current members are making their mark at local and national competitions.

Lt. Erik Fuhremann, the leader of the Dane County Narcotics Task Force joins the podcast to talk about the daunting task of stemming the flow of heroin and other opioids into the Madison area. Lt. Fuhremann says the worst of the opiods – fentanyl – is now taking a deadly toll on the city’s streets.

They come from all walks of life: Some support the MPD; others are often not sure. They all share in common the desire to dig deeper and gain a greater understanding of what it means to police the Madison Way. In this podcast Lt. Dave Jugovich, who leads the Community Academy, joins Chief Koval to talk about the free nine-week program held each year at the MPD’s Training Center. It is always an eclectic and diverse group that learns from some of the department’s top subject experts. The latest participants graduated just this past week.

The MPD has received a million dollars in federal grant money to work with community members to help young people and their families in areas of the Raymond Rd. corridor where crime numbers have spiked in recent years. In this podcast, Lt. Mike Hanson, of the West District, discusses how funds will be used by the MPD and its community partners to support youth and adult programming, while also focusing on improving relationships between residents, police, and landlords.

A relatively new unit of the police department has already become a prized resource for LGBT officers, and LGBT members living in the greater Madison community. In this podcast, Officer Jodi Nelson, an MPD Pride member, talks about the unique challenges of being an LGBT officer and how MPD Pride is helping many resolve them. She also discusses important outreach being done by MPD Pride as officers take their mission into the community.