Every business, office or agency has someone who holds the ship together, the Madison Police Department's West District is no different. The person who really runs the show, is the friendly face you see at the window when you come in. She is Mel Ketchum, her title is "Police Report Typist" (PRT) but she is the "Glue" that keeps us together. Mel displays a fantastic attitude, she is never down and is always smiling. She is one of the most valuable assets to our district. I asked her to write a little about herself so the citizens can get to know her. Thanks to Mel for everything she does here!
As of February, I will be starting my 19th year with the Madison Police Department as a police report typist (PRT). I began working patrol 8 PM to 4 AM, worked a few years as 4 PM night detective police report typist, and then moved days to work at North District for a few years, before heading to West District about 4 years ago.
As a District PRT, besides being responsible for typing reports for west district detectives and officers, I have many, many tasks and duties here, from helping citizens on the phone and at the window with their questions and self-reports, accepting parking ticket payments, and passing on the many messages I receive for officers. I am responsible for all administrative tasks associated with keeping the district running, such as ordering supplies, taking care of copier and computer issues, calling maintenance for repairs, and maintaining the community room schedule...just to name a few.
I am the only PRT here at West PD, and have to answer more than one line...so if you call and don't reach me, just leave a message and I'll get back to you or pass on your message appropriately. I do spend a great deal of time on the phone with citizens, who have questions about incidents in the community, and wondering if that scam call or fake Publisher's Clearing House check is actually real. Nope, it's fake. J
When I finish the day, I'm glad to be going home knowing all of our officers are safe and going home to their loved ones at the end of their shifts. And I'm glad to be going home to our little, peaceful hobby farm in rural western Dane County, enjoying our animals, organic gardening, preserving food and all the wildlife that surrounds us.
Stay safe!