Madison’s Independent Police Monitor Does What Exactly?
It’s been eight years since the death of local teen Tony Robinson sparked a wave of protests in Madison. There have been several high-profile - and fatal - police shootings of unarmed Madison residents since then. Citizens demanded change. Grieving family members brought federal civil rights lawsuits. The city hired a consultant to review the entire police department. A state law was changed to require outside investigations of police shootings.
The latest move? Creating an independent city agency that can investigate complaints against the Madison Police Department.
We speak to the city’s first independent police monitor, Robin Copley.
Editor's note: At the time of this interview, Copley went by a different name and is referred to as such in the episode.
Also on the show:
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