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September 9, 2025

Police Monitor Faces Criticism For Lack of Transparency

City Cast Madison

Police Monitor Faces Criticism For Lack of Transparency

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Madison’s Office of the Independent Monitor is meant to be a check on the Madison Police Department, receiving complaints and feedback, making data-based recommendations, and upholding transparency and accountability. But what happens when the office’s own transparency practices are brought into question? 

Back in May, reporters requested records for communications between the monitor’s office and the Madison Police Department. There was no response.. After Isthmus reporter Liam Beran wrote a story about the records on Aug. 28, the office finally released the records. Today, Beran talks to host Bianca Martin about the months-long saga and what comes next for the office.

Mentioned on the show:

An Exit Interview with Madison’s Outgoing Police Chief [ 🎧City Cast Madison]

Madison’s Independent Police Monitor Does What Exactly? [ 🎧City Cast Madison]

Why Madison’s Police Oversight Agencies Are the Most Empowered in the Country [ 🎧City Cast Madison]

2025 Office of the Independent Monitor Annual Report

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram

📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 

🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!

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