Building Trust and Legitimacy between the Madison Police Department and the Community
A U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) microgrant initiative
In Spring 2023, in collaboration with the Madison Police Department (MPD), community leaders, and nonprofit organizations, the Madison Community Policing Foundation began recruiting individuals to serve on Community Policing Advisory Boards (CPABs) in each of Madison’s six police districts. We were seeking a total of 30 Advisors (5 per district) to:
share residents’ concerns, questions, and ideas as they advise district Captains on community issues
amplify voices that have traditionally gone unheard
promote trust and legitimacy between MPD and the community.
Introducing Madison’s Community Policing Advisory Boards
Selecting Advisors
The creation of CPABs is a key part of a community policing grant awarded to MPD by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and supported by the Madison Community Policing Foundation. (Learn more about Advisor recruitment on our website and in the news.)
We were thrilled to have more than 80 community members apply, and we worked with MPD to select Advisors, aiming to achieve a 75% non-white membership, one of the goals of the federal grant and one that we are proud to have met. The 30 Advisors selected represent a group of individuals with:
diverse backgrounds with deep knowledge of and strong ties to the Madison police district they live or work in and the people and places in it
experience with or exposure to life challenges such as housing or food insecurity, mental health issues, addiction, single parenthood, unemployment, and other challenges
a desire to help create a lasting process for continued, productive conversations between community members and police
a commitment to making Madison safer for all
Starting in July 2023, all six Community Policing Advisory Boards have been meeting monthly with their District Captains, Lieutenants, and Neighborhood Officers, to discuss issues of community safety and how community policing is helping to address them.
Monthly Meetings and Community Events
2023
In July 2023, Advisors were introduced to the concept of community policing and learned about the background of the federal grant and the 2017 pilot project on Madison’s South Side that laid the groundwork for this expansion. In August, District Captains gave Advisors a primer on Problem-Oriented Policing and Stratified Policing and led the Advisors on the tour of the district offices. In September, discussions zeroed in on district focus areas that have resulted in a disproportionate number of calls for service, and Advisors began planning their first community events, such as the West District’s “Brunch for Peace” at Tree Lane Apartments, a gathering focused on preventing gun violence. All CPABs came together for a citywide October meeting at the Madison Police Department’s Training Center to meet one another and hear a presentation from MPD Chief Shon Barnes on the department’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. Through November and December, CPABs began organizing, attending, and learning from various meetings and events around Madison and looking toward 2024 as they planned continued community outreach and engagement opportunities.
2024
Through spring of 2024, Advisors have continued to hold community-building events and meet monthly, oftentimes getting the opportunity to hear presentations on specific topics and discuss them with presenters. Topics have included the body-worn camera pilot in the North district, MPD’s Special Events Team and Community Dialogue Team, MPD’s Behavioral Health Unit, and the Madison Area Addiction Recovery Initiative (MAARI). Advisors wrapped up a busy spring in summer with the citywide, annual celebration of National Night Out on August 6. In October, CPAB meetings and events resumed, with a renewed focus on analyzing the effectiveness of CPABs and discussing sustainability strategies. In October, we welcomed five new Advisors who will serve in our Midtown, Central, North, and South districts. October, November, and December brought opportunities to connect with residents at Trunk or Treat, Thanksgiving Community Dinners, Thanksgiving Meal Kit deliveries, and holiday parties for youth.
2025
CPABs kicked off the new year strong, working with each police district to identify and focus on specific at-risk and underserved neighborhoods, or focus areas. This aligns with MPD’s commitment to Stratified Policing and evidence-based policing. MCPF CPAB advisors have been concentrating their community policing and outreach efforts in each of the focus areas, which are typically responsible for a disproportionate number of calls for service.
“Through my role as a Community Policing Advisory Board member, I've witnessed the powerful transformation that occurs when we bridge the gap between policing and our commUNITY. Together, we are fostering understanding, trust, and positive change – one event at a time.”
East Advisor LaTrease Hibbler
“This is an opportunity for me to share thoughts, strategies, and connections with others to brainstorm how we can best support policing and trust within specifically low-income, marginalized communities.”
North Advisor Khara Leonard
“My favorite thing I’ve seen come out of the Advisory Board is how the community is open to telling us how things can be better and trusting us to be the ones to help with that.”
West Advisor Courtney Carlson
Meet our six Community Policing Advisory Boards
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West District
Our West District Community Policing Advisory Board, under the leadership of Madison Police Department West District Captain Tim Patton, is comprised of Advisors who live or work in the West District, which covers the far West side of Madison and includes Elver Park, West Towne Mall, and University Ridge Golf Course.
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Midtown District
Our Midtown District Community Policing Advisory Board, working with Madison Police Department Midtown District Captain Shannon Blackamore, is comprised of Advisors who live or work in the Midtown District, which covers the near West side and includes parts of the UW campus, Camp Randall, West High School, Memorial High School, Edgewood College and High School, Marshall Park, Odana Golf Course and Henry Vilas Zoo.
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Central District
Our Central District Community Policing Advisory Board, advising Madison Police Department Captain Kipp Hartman, is made up of individuals who live or work in the Central District, which covers the isthmus area of Madison and includes the Capital, State and Local government, State St, Kohl Center, Langdon St, and parts of the UW campus.
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South District
Our South District Community Policing Advisory Board, advising Madison Police Department Captain Harrison Zanders, is made up of individuals who live or work in the South District, which covers the South side of Madison and includes Madison College south, Penn Park, Alliant Energy Center, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and UW Arboretum.
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East District
Our East District Community Policing Advisory Board, advising Madison Police Department Captain Ed Marshall, is made up of individuals who live or work in the East District, which covers the Southeast side of Madison and includes the Yahara Hills Golf course, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, East Towne Mall and Lafollette High School.
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North District
Our North District Community Policing Advisory Board, under the leadership of Madison Police Department North Captain Jamar Gary, is made up of individuals who live or work in the North District, which covers the Northeast side of Madison and includes Madison College, Warner Park, East High School, and the Dane County Airport.
Recent Advisor Attendance at Community Events
In addition to their monthly meetings with Madison Police Department District Captains and the community-building events they have been organizing and attending, Advisors have been busy getting out in the community to talk with residents about safety issues and more. Some examples are below.
December 18, 2025
Two districts, one shared goal: making the season a little easier and brighter for local families. On the North Side, officers and Advisor "Eve the Elf" spent time with kids and families at Lake View Elementary School shopping and wrapping gifts.
On the South Side, the Madison Public Library hosted a toy giveaway where officers and CPAB member/Teen Librarian Will helped families choose gifts for kids, siblings, and grandkids.
December 15, 2025
Cold mornings have a way of slowing people down—in the best possible way. Recently, neighbors gathered at Rasta Barista for Coffee with a Cop, sharing warm drinks, conversation, and time together with Madison Police Department South District Captain Harrison Zanders, South District officers, and members of South's Community Policing Advisory Board.
December 13, 2025
Madison Police Department East District Captain Ed Marshall, along with members of East’s Community Policing Advisory Board, enjoyed chatting with families and connecting with neighbors at Elvehjem Neighborhood Association’s Holiday in the Park.
November 24, 2025
The Madison Police Department/MCPF family (including Advisors from MPD’s East, Midtown, and Central Districts) kicked it off the season of giving with a favorite tradition: sharing Thanksgiving meal kits with neighbors who could use a little extra support. With groceries gathered early at Metcalfe's Market, officers and volunteers packed up turkeys and holiday staples and set out across the city to deliver some seasonal cheer.
October 30, 2025
Smiles, hugs, and plenty of candy filled the afternoon at Trunk or Treat in the Bayview neighborhood. Kids came together with MPD’s Midtown district and Midtown Community Policing Advisory Board member Kahlia to celebrate Halloween in a fun, safe, and festive way — and we loved being part of it!
October 27, 2025
It wasw a spooktacular Monday evening near Penn Park! Kids from the neighborhood came dressed to impress — superheroes, ghosts, and ghouls galore — and went home with plenty of treats thanks to Madison Police Department South District officers, Captain Harrison Zanders, Chief John Patterson, Advisors from the South District’s Community Policing Advisory Board, and 1 Pyramid at a Time.
October 22, 2025
MCPF board members and CPAB members from all six MPD districts were honored to celebrate the swearing-in of John Patterson as Madison's new Chief of Police. Chief Patterson has long believed in the power of partnership between police and community — in fact, he pioneered the CPAB (Community Policing Advisory Board) model in 2017 while serving as South District Captain. It was only fitting that he returned to this community to take his oath as Chief.
September 26, 2025
¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana! Officers, Commanders, and Community Policing Advisory Board members (D'Neece, Will, and Mary) from Madison Police Department's South District joined with neighbors at El Pollo Rumbero on Thursday in celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth.
September 15, 2025
South District Neighborhood Officer Mitchell Favor, MCPF Board Member Pia Kinney-James, Community Policing Advisory Board Member D’Neece Hettrick, and other officers from the South District grilled and served food at the Black Community Recovery Rally to elevate and celebrate Black voices in recovery.
August 16, 2025
The Summit Woods Neighborhood Festival was hosted by Madison Police Department's Midtown District, CORE team, and Community Policing Advisory Board; the Summit Woods Enrichment Committee; and Golf Madison Parks; along with MCPF. It was the perfect day for connecting with neighbors, strengthening relationships, and commemorating a safe and fun summer season.
August 6, 2025
Community Policing Advisory Board members from all six districts took part in National Night Out by planning, making connections, finding funding, setting up events, listening to neighbors, relaying feedback to Madison Police Department leadership, and cleaning up after all the fun.
July 26, 2025
MPD’s South District and their Community Policing Advisory Board gathered with neighbors at the 11th Annual Unity Picnic at the Urban League’s Black Business Hub, a free and family-friendly event with delicious food, kids activities, live music, and community resources.
July 19, 2025
Neighbors dropped by the Labor Temple on S. Park St. to chat with MPD’s South District and their Community Policing Advisory Board, enjoy hot dogs fresh off the grill, learn about youth employment opportunities in the community, collect gun safety resources, and offer feedback on to Public Health Madison & Dane County.
June 28, 2025
Central Advisors and District Officers invited Dane County Farmers’ Market attendees to stop and chat, ask questions, give feedback, and get their faces painted by Radiant Smiles Face Painting.
June 23, 2025
Advisors from four MPD districts joined forces to serve (and enjoy!) a delicious Gino's lasagna dinner along with residents of the Brittingham Apartments. Thank you to Triangle Community Ministry for the opportunity to host a Monday Meal and to the residents who invited us to dine with you.
June 21, 2025
South Advisors served up hot dogs with a heaping side of smiles and neighborly love at Madison’s annual Juneteenth celebration at Penn Park, where they celebrated freedom, culture, and Black resilience.
June 18, 2025
Young cyclists in two out of three neighborhoods in Madison Police Department's West district kicked off the summer in safety and style, with shaved ice in hand, precious protected noggins, and pumped up bike tires and hearts. At these bike safety events, positive relationships among kiddos, officers, and West Advisors were reinforced and celebrated.
June 15, 2025
North Advisor Marquis Sanders and North District officers served dinner at a Juneteenth celebration at Warner Park Community Recreation Center. Kids and families gathered at this special Friday Family Fun Night, with live jazz, games, arts and crafts, and face painting.
April 14, 2025
All six of our Community Policing Advisor Boards were present at the Police and Fire Commission's April 14 public Zoom meeting to discuss the characteristics, vision, background, and experience that community members are hoping to see in Madison Police Department's next permanent police chief.
March 20, 2025
East Advisors and MPD’s East District joined Mentoring Positives, Inc. for a community dinner to mark the end of and honor The Salvation Army’s Darbo Drive Community Center program, which closed due to financial challenges.
February 25, 2025
East Advisors and East District officers hosted Black History Month Celebration and Soul Food Dinner at the Meadowlands Apartments. East District Captain Marshall applauded the team for organizing “an excellent, well attended event. Looking around the room, I could see connections being made everywhere, and no one left hungry.”
February 19, 2025
South Advisor Tara Finnie and CPAB Project Coordinator Liz Merfeld served a Triangle Ministry “Monday Meal” alongside Madison Police Department Officers and Madison South Rotary Members. Food and fellowship with Triangle Neighborhood Residents followed. This was a great test run, with South and Midtown CPABs planning to team up to host a future meal together.
January 20, 2025
South Advisor Shar-Ron Buie served as a panelist for an important discussion about racial disparities, police discretion, and equity in Dane County's justice system hosted by JustDane.
January 9, 2025
Midtown and East Advisors helped out at our first-annual National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Blood Drive at Garver Feed Mill, where nearly 50 units of blood were collected by the American Red Cross.
February 11, 2025
Madison's westside "Coffee with a Cop" group celebrated it 9-year anniversary. The group was started by the now-retired and former owner of Steep n Brew and new West District Advisor Saad Khalifa and officers from MPD's West Police District. This group has met more than 450 times over the past 9 years and continues to grow!
October 24, 2024
South Advisors sat down with residents of Highland Manor Mobile Home Park for a picnic hosted by MPD’s Community Outreach and Resource Education (CORE) Team. The team was touring the city, hosting hot dog cookouts in all six police districts, bringing citizens and officers together to get to know one another, discuss safety concerns as well as strategies, and celebrate community.
October 2, 2024
South Advisors attended a conversation with a panel of community leaders at the Black Business Hub about the Tyreek Hill police stop, exploring police interactions, accountability, trust, and what could have been done differently. The event was sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Madison and Coach Asad of The Coach's Crib.
August 10, 2024
MPD’s West District and CPAB helped host the annual WestFest at Elver Park, a fun-filled, intergenerational summer festival showcasing the diversity of Madison’s southwest side and building community pride along with partner agencies, organizations, businesses, homeowners, and neighborhood associations.
February 9, 2024
Representing the Community Policing Advisory Boards, CPAB Project Coordinator Liz Merfeld presented an update to the Midtown district Coffee with a Cop organizers and answered questions about CPAB make-up, activities, and needs.
September 11, 2024
East Advisor Kathy Jackson lent a helping hand at the 13th annual “Never Forget” blood drive hosted by Madison Fire and Madison Police at Garver Feed Mill. A total of 145 appointments — close to the maximum possible — were booked, exceeding their goal of collecting 134 donations.
August 9, 2024
North Advisors Eve Ropel and Layla Ameen met via Zoom for the second time with Dr. Broderick Turner and UW-Madison’s Sila Ayoz, along with CORE Officer Carlin Becker and North Captain Jamar Gary, to discuss community perceptions, expectations, and concerns related to body-worn cameras and the pilot study.
April 4, 2024
South Advisor Shar-Ron Buie participated in an equity symposium at Madison West High School, along with the Madison Police Department’s Black Officer Coalition and Aimgos in Azul.
July 8, 2024
MPD’s South District and CPAB hosted a “Stop The Violence / Detén La Violencia” Community Gang Awareness Informational Session at Highland Manor Mobile Home Park to inform families about basic gang knowledge, how to identify local gangs, and what to do if your child is in a gang.
May 26, 2024
MPCF was once again honored to be one of Brat Fest’s charities in 2024. MPD’s South District Community Policing Advisory Board Member and Associate Director of Just Dane Shar-Ron Buie came out in the rain to volunteer as a grill chef on MCPF's behalf along with Dr. Sofia Refetoff from the UW Carbone Cancer Center. 👨🏾🍳 🌭 🙌
February 1, 2024
MCPF, and the work of the Community Policing Advisory Boards, were proud to be recognized at a press conference by Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes in his State of Public Safety remarks, and to be a part of the City of Madison, Wisconsin Government's holistic approach to community safety and violence prevention.
September 7, 2024
South and East Advisors pitched in at a mental health resources community picnic put on by Miramont Behavioral Health at Penn Park. More than 200 community members attended, enjoying free food, music, and fun family activities.
November 1, 2023
East Advisor Amee Lapke collaborated with the residents and management at the Meadowlands Apartments, as well as the North Star neighborhood association, to organize a diaper/clothing/supply/food drive for residents. Donations were welcomed at the East district station, including arts and craft and school supplies, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, and baby necessities.
October 18, 2023
East Advisors attend a meeting hosted by the North Star Neighborhood Association (NSNA) at Twisted Grounds to discuss recent gun violence at the Meadowlands and Harmony Apartments.
South Advisors present at “Fall Into an Evening with SPD" at the Urban League of Greater Madison, along with Amigos en Azul and the Black Officer Coalition, discussing how they work in partnership with the community to build trust and legitimacy.
September 15, 2023
West Advisor Eugene Crisler, through his work with the Urban League’s Fatherhood Group, hosts a monthly Youth Gaming Night. Other West Advisors attend, as well as Officer Scott Bekfield and SMAC (Southwest Madison Action Coalition). Financial support from MCPF also helped bring together this night of fun, entertainment, and resources, focused on relationship building while giving youth a space to engage with others in the world of gaming.
August 31, 2023
East Advisors attend International Overdose Awareness Day, put on by Safe Communities Madison-Dane County, Momentum In Recovery, the African American Opioid Coalition, MCPF, and MPD. The event featured a vendor fair with local resources such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and medication lock boxes. Speakers shared updates on how the opioid crisis is being addressed in Dane County and across the state.
August 30, 2023
East Advisors attend the Community Meeting at Pinney Library to discuss Meadowlands Apartments (6834 Milwaukee St.), a focus area of the East Police District. The meeting aimed to address persistent violence and other nuisances at Meadowlands. Speakers included representatives from the development team, the Madison Police Department, local organizations and District 16 Alder Jael Currie, City Council president.
August 26, 2023
South and West Advisors attend Luna’s Block Party, hosted by Luna's Grocery Store, a community grocery story. Luna’s ended the Allied Drive area's decade-long status as a food desert when it opened in 2019, hosted its fourth annual block party, bringing together community members, MPD, food trucks featuring dishes from around the world, and stands from local artists and chefs. It was held in Luna’s parking lot in the Allied Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood on the Southwest Side as it prepares to open a second location at the Village on Park mall on Madison’s South Side.
August 26, 2023
West Advisor Eugene Crisler, through his work with the Urban League of Greater Madison’s Fatherhood Program, helps organize Westfest at Elver Park, a fun-filled, intergenerational summer festival celebrating the diversity of Madison’s southwest side, aiming to build community pride with the collaboration and support of partner agencies such as Madison Police Department’s West District. Westfest was hosted in partnership with the Elver Park Neighborhood Center and representatives from local neighborhood associations.
August 20, 2023
Midtown Advisors meet and eat with recent immigrants and refugees at the First Responders Picnic at Christ Presbyterian Church, along with Jewish Social Services, MPD, and other area first responders.
August 3, 2023
Central Advisors attended events at Orton Park (hosted by Community Walk) and Peace Park (hosted by the Madison Central Business Improvement District) for National Night Out.
August 3, 2023
West Advisors attended National Night Out at Meadowood Park (hosted by Meadowood Health Partnership) to promote partnerships between officers and those they serve.
August 3, 2023
South Advisors built relationships on National Night Out, visiting events at Penn Park (hosted by Goodman Library) and the Bridge-Lakepoint-Waunona Neighborhood Center (hosted by Bridge-Lakepoint-Waunona Neighborhood Association).
August 3, 2023
East Advisors represented their Community Policing Advisory Board at National Night Out events including the Salvation Army (hosted by Darbor-Worthington Neighborhood Association), Meadowlands Apartments, and Parks Alive at Owl Creek Park, building stronger neighborhoods and connecting communities to their East MPD district.
August 3, 2023
Midtown Advisors attended National Night Out at Luna’s Market (hosted by Miriam and Joe Maldonado) as well as Westmorland Park (hosted by Midvale Heights Community Association), promoting partnerships between officers and those they serve.