Madison committee approves promotion of six police officers to sergeants

The City of Madison Finance Committee unanimously approved legisar 91959 on March 2 to upgrade six existing police officer positions to the rank of sergeant, officials said.

Chief Patterson told the committee the moves would not add to the department's authorized strength but would alter the mix of ranks and cost about $69,000. "These are not adding to our authorized strength but changing the totals ... the amount that you see there is the cost of the upgrade of those six positions roughly $69,000," Chief Patterson said, adding staff expect to cover the 2026 cost with salary savings and to add the amount to the base budget in 2027.

The chief said the six upgraded positions are intended for patrol services to improve supervisor‑to‑subordinate ratios, particularly on later shifts, and that a promotional panel for sergeants is currently active. Committee members confirmed the changes would be promotions under the collective bargaining agreement rather than open competitive additions: "These would be promotions for six individuals ... that's all outlined in the CBA," a staff member said.

Alder Figuro Cole and other members asked about timing and deployment; staff said training and a mid‑year shift shuffle would likely put the new sergeants on patrol by early summer if the resolution is approved. The committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the measure.

The committee did not specify individual names in the public roll call for the vote; staff said implementation details, including exact patrol assignments, will be worked out after approval.