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Middleton police chief outlines training, community policing and new training officer
Summary
Chief Thompson told the Common Council the Middleton Police Department prioritizes proactive community policing, has added a full-time training officer and provides Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and de-escalation training; council members asked about mental-health responses and community outreach initiatives.
Chief Thompson briefed the council on local police training practices and community-outreach programs following a recent high-profile officer-involved shooting elsewhere.
“We’re out in the community every day,” Chief Thompson said, describing community policing as part of day-to-day work rather than a special program. He said the department added a full-time training officer this past year, which allows staff to identify best practices and ensure consistent performance, and that officers receive regular de-escalation and CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training.
Alder Myers asked specifically about responses to people experiencing a mental-health episode. Chief Thompson said CIT training is “in the fabric of what we do,” and that a training division reviews use-of-force incidents to find opportunities for improvement. The chief also discussed proposals to use bicycles for patrols, the department’s recent youth and citizens academies, and the recent addition of a part-time social worker to provide nonofficer follow-up in crises.
Council members thanked the chief and encouraged residents to attend upcoming community events—including National Night Out and a youth-focused fundraiser—where officers will be present in outreach roles.
