Monona council debates mutual-aid limits after Madison action; police chief says directive already issued

Monona — The City Council opened a contentious first reading on a resolution that would narrow when the Monona Police Department should request mutual aid from neighboring jurisdictions, a move prompted by a recent City of Madison resolution involving pursuits and potential cost recovery.

Public commenter Peter McKeever urged the council to reject the proposal, calling Madison’s resolution “a rash action” and warning that embedding restrictions in policy would undercut on-the-ground discretion. “As a resident of Monona, I want the police department to call for mutual aid from whoever’s closest, quickest, and most qualified to help,” McKeever said during the appearance period.

Police Chief Brian Cheney told the council he had already issued an operational directive in mid-January that discourages routine requests to Madison except in life-and-safety incidents. “I’ve already issued it, under my authority under state statute,” Cheney said, adding that the directive has been in place since January and that staff report no operational challenges so far. He described the change as case-by-case: if a situation appears to risk harm, the department will request Madison or other partners; if it is safe to wait, Monona may call alternate mutual-aid partners such as county sheriff or neighboring cities.

Council members debated tone and tactic. Several said Madison’s public statements appeared aimed at influencing Monona’s pursuit policy by conditioning reimbursement, which council members described as an overreach. One alder proposed a substitute resolution that would narrow the city’s response to ask Madison not to assist only during active pursuits, rather than a broad prohibition on routine aid.

Other council members urged restraint, arguing the priority should be maintaining practical mutual-aid relationships. “I don’t want this to be played out in public,” one alder said, encouraging interchief and county-level discussions rather than legislative tit-for-tat.

Because the mutual-aid resolution touches potential litigation and insurance claims, the council voted to convene in closed session under Wisconsin Stat. sec. 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel about strategy. The motion to adjourn to closed session passed on a roll-call vote.

What happens next: The resolution was a first reading; councilors said they expect further amendment and review. The matter will return to open session after attorney consultation and is scheduled for continued consideration at the next meeting.