Started my day at the Academy yesterday and it was strangely quiet given the fact that we have 32 new recruits and their collective voices could not be heard. I peeked my head into their classroom and saw the reminder notes about the gear requirements for the off-site training venue known as Bethel Horizons. And I smiled. :)
Each academy treks to Bethel Horizons to participate in team building exercises in a setting "dominated by nature and designed to encourage a greater understanding of ourselves and others." Students engage in high ropes courses, low ropes, climbing towers, and rappelling to name a few of the stress-challenges that are presented at both an individual level as well as in the context of group dynamics. To accomplish objectives, it becomes readily important that "self" must succumb to "team," and you have to learn to trust in the process as well as your colleagues.
As we throw 32 very diverse individuals together for a journey that will last for months, we have found that this is an excellent proving ground that accomplishes many objectives: the recruits get to know one another and their life experience(s) more intimately than what a classroom could ever provide, individuals are pushed out of their comfort zones both physically as well as emotionally, teamwork is quickly cultivated, and, most importantly, breakout sessions from "lessons learned" can enhance important discussions on ethical decision making and the core values necessary in "growing" selfless servant guardians entrusted with the care of the community, their fellow officers, and themselves.
Having seen dozens of these "retreats," I can assure you that there will be laughter, tears, revelatory moments, a lot of hugs and a dawning that the people next to me are the same sisters and brothers who will be at my side during some of the most dangerous, frustrating, tense, and gratifying calls that a Madison police officer will encounter over the course of a career. The seeds sown from these shared moments will ultimately yield a greater understanding of how this "calling" is reliant on our ability to recognize that none of us is so "strong" that we can go it alone. . .we need each other to realize the BPR ("best possible resolution") not only for the resolution of the incident we're handling, but also to keep ourselves grounded, fulfilled, and validated knowing that the work we have chosen to do is, in fact, noble and worthy of our time and efforts!
From 5:30 a.m. on 09/14/2017 through 5:30 a.m. on 09/15/2017, MPD received 487 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials.
Certain calls have recurrent themes in terms of time and labor intensity. For example, when individuals are taken for an evaluation due to a mental health issue or episodic break, MPD does an extensive collaboration with Journey Mental Health in determining the least restrictive option. These are always two officer calls and can routinely last between 5-8 hours (or more). Emergency Detention conveyances are taken to the Winnebago Mental Health Hospital in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This is a five hour round-trip, including intake, that takes two officers out of our community and creates challenges for us as we attempt to service calls.
1) SOUTH: Juvenile Arrest – 4:17 a.m. Officers responded to Waunona Woods Court where the caller's (74 year old WF) granddaughter/suspect (15 year old WF) left her home without permission and took the caller's purse and vehicle. Officers located the vehicle and a traffic stop was conducted. Four occupants of the vehicle fled. The driver (16 year old AAM) and the suspect/granddaughter were both apprehended. The driver was charged with operating a motor vehicle without consent, curfew and operating after suspension. The suspect/granddaughter was charged with operating a motor vehicle without consent, operating without a valid driver's license and curfew. Both driver and suspect were taken to the Juvenile Reception Center.
2) WEST: Check Person – 9:59 a.m. Officers responded to the 2100 block of Allied Drive after a caller reported witnessing a suspect batter a victim and possibly take items from the victim without their consent. Limited information provided. Officers responded, checked the area and did not locate any victim/suspect. The original caller/witness also could not be located. Investigation continuing.
3) WEST: Check Person – 10:11 a.m. Officers responded to the 600 block of N. Segoe Road to check the welfare of a possible suicidal subject (36 year old WM). Area checked, attempts were made to contact the subject, no response. Officers cleared the area after repeated attempts to contact the subject were unsuccessful.
4) WEST: Adult Arrested Person – 10:56 a.m. Officers responded to the 500 block of S. Midvale Blvd for a physical disturbance that took place between a victim (45 year old, male/Middle Eastern descent) and a suspect (67 year old, male/Middle Eastern descent). The suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct.
5) WEST: Drug Incident Overdose – 11:48 a.m. Officers responded to the 6700 block of Raymond Road for a subject (42 year old WF) having an overdose. Subject was revived by MFD and transported to a local hospital where she was cited for possession of heroin.
6) CENTRAL: Sexual Assault – 12:36 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital to take a report of a sexual assault of a victim (21 year old HF) by a suspect (21 year old WM). Investigation continuing.
7) SOUTH: Conveyance Mental Health – 3:12 p.m. Officers responded to La Crosse Lane for a subject (45 year old WM) who was under a Chapter 51 commitment. The subject needed to be evaluated so he was transported to a local hospital and eventually taken to Winnebago by two officers. Officers arrived at Winnebago at approximately 9:45 p.m.
8) SOUTH: Conveyance Mental Health – 5:54 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital for a subject (83 year old WF) who was in need of a mental health evaluation and Chapter 51 commitment. The subject was transported and ultimately left in the care of a local hospital.
9) WEST: Theft – 5:56 p.m. Officers responded to Sonora Court where a theft was reported. The callers reported that their step-son/suspect (33 year old WM) stole items from them and left the area. Investigation continuing.
10) WEST: Missing Adult – 7:42 p.m. Officers responded to Adderbury Lane for a report of a missing adult (23 year old AAF) with special needs. Attempt to locate aired and she was listed as missing in the appropriate databases.
11) EAST: Missing Juvenile/Runaway – 8:16 p.m. Officers responded to the 5300 block of Golden Leaf Trail for a report of a missing juvenile/runaway (15 year old AAM). Attempt to locate aired and he was listed as missing in the appropriate databases.
12) NORTH: Battery – 8:22 p.m. Officer responded to the 600 block of N. Sixth Street, along with EMS, to check on a subject (23 year old WM) who was passed out in public. When the officer arrived, the subject woke up and ran. Officer did not pursue the subject. While the officer was speaking with the caller regarding what they witnessed, the subject returned to the area. The subject/suspect charged the officer and punched her in the face. The suspect was arrested and charged with battery to a police officer.
13) SOUTH: Strong Arm Robbery – 11:41 p.m. Officers responded to Lake Point Drive/Bridge Road where a victim (42 year old AAF) reported that she was robbed of her wallet and some pills. The victim reported being struck from behind and could hear male voices, but could not provide any other suspect description information. No significant injuries. Investigation continuing.
14) EAST: Armed Robbery – 12:08 a.m. Officers responded to Wendy's in the 2400 block of S. Stoughton Road where a suspect (AAM) ordered 4 employees down at gunpoint. The suspect directed one victim (34 year old WF) to open the safe. The suspect fled after taking money and the victim's phone. Investigation continuing. Press release completed. This is the second incident this week at this same location.
15) CENTRAL: Disturbance – 2:17 a.m. Officers responded to the 400 block of W. Washington Ave for a disturbance. A suspect (24 year old WM) was located intoxicated and bleeding heavily. The suspect had gone to his ex-girlfriend's home and punched the storm door window, shattering it which caused his injuries. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and was cited for disorderly conduct and damage to property.