After marathon all-night meeting, Council terminates Independent Monitor

Key Points:

• The Madison Common Council voted 14-6 to terminate Independent Monitor Aeiramique Glass after a meeting lasting nearly 12 hours, with the motion passing without debate due to time constraints.
• Public testimony on the resolution lasted from 7:30 pm Tuesday until about 4 am Wednesday, with most speakers opposing Glass's termination, and council members questioned staff for several more hours before voting.
• Concerns raised included Glass canceling meetings with Police Chief John Patterson, alleged improper contracting procedures for hiring experts and attorneys, and sharing privileged records with a council member.
• Glass stated she could not post a permanent job description for the Independent Police Monitor role as it had not been created by the Police Civilian Oversight Board, and expressed willingness to serve in an interim capacity but not through a competitive hiring process.
• Following Glass's termination, Common Council Chief of Staff Karen Kapusta-Pofahl will manage the Office of the Independent Monitor but will not conduct investigations herself, instead seeking to hire an investigator during the search for a permanent monitor.