Our hearts go out to the family, friends and law enforcement community of Racine Police Officer John Hetland who lost his life last night. Officer Hetland was off-duty at the time, but with this "job," you are never really "off." Officer Hetland witnessed an armed robbery in progress and attempted to intervene when he was shot and killed. Officer Hetland served his community and the law enforcement profession for 24 years. Officer Hetland is survived by his two children and parents. A two-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department also lost his life on Monday as he drove home from work. Police Officer Kou Her was struck by a driver who ran a red light. Officer Her is survived by his wife, parents and a large family, including six brothers and two sisters. We remember both officers for their service and dedication to protecting others. In valor, there is hope.
The information contained in my blog is derived from notes provided by MPD Officers-In-Charge (OIC) at the end of their shifts. Most narratives represent early and preliminary information that was gathered by an OIC from those in the field who were actively working cases. The OIC is sharing what they were being told, in the moment. In many instances, facts and circumstances, even the type of crime listed, can change as officers, detectives and investigators continue their work.
From 6:00 a.m. on 06/17/2019 through 6:00 a.m. on 06/18/2019, MPD received 551 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. For purposes of clarification, the following abbreviations are short-hand for race designations: W=White, AA=African American, NA=Native American, H=Hispanic, ME=Middle Eastern, A=Asian, MR=Mixed Race, U=Unknown. MPD shifts are staggered as follows: 1st detail=7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2nd detail=12 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3rd detail=3 p.m. to 11 p.m., 4th detail=8 p.m. to 4 a.m., 5th detail=11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
To further break down the 551 calls for service for the past 24-hours, this is how the calls came in per district: Central (84), East (96), Midtown (82), North (90), South (64), West (88), and Other (47). Other=these are calls for service that either do not have a sector listed or the sector is not in the City. For example, if one of our officers assists another law enforcement agency, their sector is not listed in our districts so therefore it is listed under "other".
**Priority calls only from 10am-12pm due to calls for service.
**Priority calls only from 5pm-6:15pm due to calls for service.
**Priority calls only from 6:55pm-8:45pm due to calls for service.
1) EAST: Check Welfare – 7:10 a.m. Officers responded to Littlemore Drive to check the welfare of a subject (64-year-old WF) who was reportedly having a mental health crisis. The subject was placed into protective custody and conveyed to a local hospital for an evaluation. MPD Mental Health Officer plugged in. Journey consulted. The subject was originally left in the care of medical staff as she was found to be intoxicated, with a plan to conduct an emergency detention once sober. An emergency detention was later found to not be appropriate and the subject was released from the hospital as it was determined that her issues stemmed from alcohol use.
2) CENTRAL: Theft – 11:24 a.m. Officers responded to a central district residence after a homeowner observed a suspect stealing an item from their porch. Investigation continuing.
3) EAST: Disturbance/Battery/Strong Arm Robbery – 12:39 p.m. Officers responded to the Best Buy on East Springs Drive for a report of several subjects fighting. As officers arrived in the area, at least two subjects fled. A victim (24-year-old WF) was identified and found to have sustained injuries from the altercation (later changed to a battery/strong arm robbery). A suspect (UF) stole the keys to the victim's vehicle, struck her in the face and scratched her chest/arms. Another suspect (UM) threatened the victim. K9 track conducted. Investigation continuing.
4) WEST: Weapons Violation – 4:49 p.m. Officers responded to the 10 block of Park Heights Court for a report of a man with a gun on his porch. The suspect (48-year-old WM) had armed himself with a rifle and threatened the victim (35-year-old UM). Officers made phone contact with the suspect and subsequently took him into custody without incident. The suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct while armed. Incident report on MPD's website completed. Investigation continuing.
5) SOUTH: Recovered/Stolen Vehicle – 6:41 p.m. Officers responded to a report of a crash on Beld Street. The occupants/suspects (WMs) of the vehicle were observed fleeing on foot. The vehicle was discovered to be stolen from Fitchburg (about an hour before the crash). Perimeter set up. K9 track conducted. The suspects are at-large. Incident report on MPD's website completed. Investigation continuing.
6) WEST: Check Person – 7:05 p.m. Officers responded to a group home on the west side of town for a subject (39-year-old WF) who reportedly took nails out of the walls and began pushing them into her arms/chest. Officers were able to safely take the subject into protective custody and she was conveyed to a local hospital. An emergency detention may be sought. The subject was left in the care of medical staff. Investigation continuing.
7) SOUTH: Recovered/Stolen Vehicle – 8:32 p.m. Officers located an abandoned vehicle that was used in an armed robbery case. The vehicle was recovered/towed. Investigation continuing.
8) CENTRAL: Threats Complaint – 8:59 p.m. A report was made about a suspect (11-year-old UM) calling a local restaurant and stating he had a bomb. The suspect was not immediately able to be identified. Once identified, the suspect's mother and brother were contacted. Both the mother and the brother were appropriately concerned/cooperative. The family does not live in Wisconsin. St. Cloud PD was contacted and will conduct an on-site investigation/contact with the family. Investigation turned over to St. Cloud PD. No further action deemed necessary by MPD officers.
9) NORTH: Strong Arm Robbery – 10:07 p.m. A victim (17-year-old WM) was physically assaulted while walking in the 1300 block of Northport Drive. The suspects (AAM teenagers) grabbed the victim and took him to the ground. The victim was stomped on and punched. The suspects stole the victim's AirPods and fled on foot. The victim sustained visible injuries. Incident report on MPD's website completed. Investigation continuing.
10) EAST: Missing/Runaway Juvenile – 11:02 p.m. Officers received a report of a missing/runaway juvenile (16-year-old WM) from his dad. The juvenile's mother believes he is with a friend but she was not very forthcoming with information. Attempt to locate aired. No safety concerns identified. The juvenile was listed as missing/runaway in the appropriate databases. Investigation continuing.
11) EAST: Stolen Auto – 12:41 a.m. Officers responded to Milky Way for a report of a stolen auto. The suspect (UM) entered another unlocked vehicle in the driveway and used the garage door opener to enter the garage/residence. The suspect stole the keys and vehicle. Vehicle entered as stolen in the appropriate databases. Incident report on MPD's website completed. Investigation continuing.
12) CITY-WIDE: Assist Law Enforcement – 1:50 a.m. MPD assisted Monona/Dane County law enforcement agencies with a pursuit of two stolen vehicles. MPD assisted with setting up a perimeter and deploying spikes (MPD did not engage in any vehicle pursuit). The stolen vehicles were observed at the Speedway Gas Station at Monona Drive/Beltline. A suspect (AAM) opened fire at Monona PD and the suspect vehicles both fled. One of the suspect vehicles, determined to be stolen, was found abandoned on Pike Drive/Traceway. K9 track conducted. Additional vehicle pursuits occurred between Monona PD and the second suspect vehicle. Three suspects were ultimately taken into custody. Investigation continuing. Monona PD has the lead on this investigation.
It was recently announced that ICE will be stepping up enforcement and deportation initiatives in the coming weeks. Knowing that this is particularly disturbing to many of our residents, I want to affirm MPD's Code of Conduct and SOP with respect to ICE plans. Unless there is a compelling and/or serious underlying criminal violation, MPD officers are not going to be active participants in routine deportation operations.
Here is the link to our SOP on Enforcement of Immigration Laws: https://www.cityofmadison.com/police/documents/sop/EnforcementofImmigrationLaws.pdf
Below is the excerpt from our Code of Conduct related to Enforcement of Immigration Laws (https://www.cityofmadison.com/police/documents/codeConduct.pdf ):
8. Enforcement of Immigration Laws
In order to be true to our mission statement and to the precepts of community policing, it is
imperative that MPD reflect and implement policies and procedures which place a particular
emphasis on access to services which are inclusive to all constituents. Thus, an individual's right
to file a report, participate in community activities or otherwise request police services should
not be dependent upon their immigration status.
With respect then, to issues of immigration, enforcement of the nation's immigration laws rests
primarily with the federal government. To this end, MPD will not self-initiate contact, detain,
arrest, or investigate any person(s) solely for a suspected violation of immigration status laws.
MPD cooperation with requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are
predicated upon assisting only with those operations in which serious crimes directly relating to
public safety are involved (see listed parameters under SOP: Enforcement of Immigration Laws).
MPD will not participate in coordinated operations or raids where the chief objective is to arrest
individuals who are suspected to be in violation of immigration laws.