Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Mukhtar M. Ibrahim

Chief explains 'Madison Model' of policing demonstrations

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Update: 12:35 p.m. | Posted: 8:05 a.m.

More than 350 law enforcement leaders are gathering in St. Cloud this week to learn about how police can be more innovative while improving their tactics and relationships with the communities they serve.

It's part of the annual Minnesota Chiefs of Police Executive Training Institute.

The conference comes months after a Minneapolis police officer fatally shot Jamar Clark, an incident that sparked nearly three weeks of protests — including a freeway blockade, a vigil outside the 4th Precinct police station lasting more than two weeks, and multiple rallies at City Hall.

Clark's shooting sparked a fierce debate over police tactics.

In an interview with MPR News' Cathy Wurzer, Michael Koval, police chief in Madison, Wis., said his department uses what he calls the "Madison Model" when policing protest demonstrations.

When dealing with protesters, Koval said, his officers first come in at low profile with no riot gear. The goal is to de-escalate the situation, he said. During protest marches, officers "establish rapport" with protesters, he added.

"We have to really embrace the notion that we want to facilitate constitutional rights and individual liberties, and none are perhaps more precious than the first amendment," Koval said.

When protesters block off a major highway, Koval said, they reroute the traffic for about 10 minutes, which will gave protesters enough time to get their messages out.

"Those are the inconveniences in life that we can life with in order to sort of triage to the most important principles which are: Are we honoring and respecting those constitutional First Amendment rights?" he said.

If protesters destroy property or their actions put people in danger, "that is a story altogether different," he added.