Council confirms John Patterson as Madison police chief; employment terms formalized by MOU

The Finance Committee of the City of Madison on Sept. 29 unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the appointment of John Patterson and approving the terms and conditions of his employment as City of Madison police chief.

Committee members moved and seconded the resolution and, with no members objecting, recorded a unanimous vote in favor. The committee discussion focused on why a memorandum of understanding (MOU) — rather than a standard offer letter — was used to set out the chief’s employment terms.

Human Resources representative Eman said the form previously used for chiefs was an offer letter that lacked details such as schedules of raises, parity with other management staff, and specific benefit treatments. “Director Hilson thought that an MOU would be appropriate, to get a little more parity there between the 2 chiefs and the rest of the management team,” Eman said. The MOU mirrors many elements of the city’s comp group 21 management contracts while remaining an MOU rather than a full contract because the city’s authority differs for chiefs.

Committee members asked about residency provisions. Staff said residency requirements are more permissive for chiefs than for comp group 21 managers because the city can require residency only through a contract; since the chief’s terms are set in an MOU, the residency provision is framed as a distance-from-capital requirement rather than a strict residency mandate. Committee members were advised that the provision is consistent with prior chiefs’ arrangements.

Committee members also asked whether the same approach would later be used for the fire chief; staff said it was their intention to create parallel MOUs for both chiefs to ensure consistent treatment.

The committee recorded the adoption of the item without any recorded objections and sent the recognition and MOU forward with the committee’s recommendation.