Monona council adopts resolution limiting routine mutual-aid requests to Madison in active pursuits after lengthy debate

The Monona Common Council adopted an amended mutual-aid resolution intended to reduce routine reliance on the Madison Police Department in active police pursuits, after a lengthy public and council debate and competing substitute proposals.

Proponents argued the change aims to protect the city from legal and financial exposure and to push back against a Madison common-council resolution that repeatedly referenced Monona. Opponents said the council should avoid needlessly antagonizing a neighboring jurisdiction and stressed preserving officers' ability to request immediate assistance in extraordinary circumstances.

Doug (resolution sponsor) framed the measure as primarily defensive: it directs Monona's police not to routinely request Madison assistance in active pursuits and asks Madison to reconsider its prior resolution. Chief Cheney raised operational concerns about an absolute restriction, noting scenarios — for example, a pursuit that escalates into an active shooter or an incident deep inside Madison where Madison officers are the nearest available responders — in which assistance should be permissible. Councilors amended the language to read that Monona officers "will not routinely request assistance from the Madison Police Department to participate in active police pursuits," preserving discretion for unusual or exigent circumstances.

Council debate also included public comment earlier in the meeting; a resident, Beth Ester, urged the council to address Monona's pursuit policy rather than adopt a retaliatory mutual-aid resolution. Supporters said they had tried other outreach and received little response, and that the resolution is intended to protect Monona's officers and finances.

The council took a roll-call vote that recorded ayes and nays among alder members; Mayor Moore broke a tie and voted aye, and the resolution carried.