Posted on Friday, 9th May 2008 by Bruce
Madison Police always seem to be asking the public to help them find somebody. “Bring us tips. Bring us leads. Big reward! Call Crimestoppers. C’mon, be a good citizen, give us a little help here.”
Well, we all know how that often turns out.
I was reminded today of a story from last January in the Wisconsin State Journal that makes so much more sense in light of recent developments.
James Bohanan is a fugitive wanted for the murder of a Waunakee man last July. Witnesses claim Bohanan shot the 28 year old man in cold blood outside a house party in Madison, with no provocation. Bohanan has ties to Chicago, and authorities believe he’s been coming and going from the Madison area since the shooting.
On January 28, 2008, the Wisconsin State Journal ran a story titled “Suspect in Killing Could be in City”. In it, there are several paragraphs that are very intriguing in light of the many questions folks in Madison, and now around the country, are asking about their police force:
“A search on Dec. 6 of the South Side apartment mentioned by the informant turned up neither Bohanan nor any weapons or ammunition tying him to Cobbins’ murder. Police officers doing surveillance outside the apartment the night before thought they saw a man matching Bohanan’s description leave the building, drive away and then return about an hour later, but he was not arrested.
Woodmansee and Wahl declined to say what complications may have developed that night, but stressed that police will arrest Bohanan wherever and whenever he can be safely apprehended.”
Wait, let me get this straight… Clearly, I must be missing something here… Police officers, being paid to stake out an apartment building believed to be the hideout of a fugitive they’ve been looking for for nearly six months, saw a person matching the description of the person they were being paid to watch for, not once but twice, yet somehow he eluded their grasp? They let him drive away and return? From the same story:
“Certainly if officers were in a position to be able to take him into custody or stop someone we believed might be him to check his identity, we obviously would have done that,” Wahl said. “He’s on the top of our list for people we’re looking for and want to take into custody.”
I would argue that officers were in a position to “stop him” — they were right there! He was in front of them! They saw a man matching his description twice! And they let him get away? And now we’re supposed to call Crimestoppers to help police find him again?
Wow. And this is the same police department that wants Madisonians to “bring their complaints to the department, not the media“. This is getting to be like a bad joke, the one the guy in the office with the flared jeans and the bad combover tells over and over again, thinking you’ve never heard it before. All you can do is muster up a fake chuckle, and walk away from the coffeemaker.
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24 Responses to “Why does it seem like Madison Police never find anyone they’re looking for?”
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May 9th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
They thought they saw a man matching Bohanon’s description but made no effort to stop him.
I’m sitting here reading this trying to imagine a scenario in which Officers would not make an attempt to stop the guy and just can’t think of one. I’m also wondering what kind of real experience these Officers had and what kind of instructions they received from the supervisor who gave them the assignment. This is just absolutely incredible!
May 9th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Wow… Freakin’ Wow!
I have a question that maybe our officers or attorneys can answer, isn’t there some way the US Attorneys Office at the direction of the Attorney General (Federal) could get involved? It is clear that JB Van Hollen doesn’t have the stones to get the DOJ involved (even if we could trust him), but the leadership of this police department is so screwed up, that something needs to be done.
I can’t believe that the Madison Mayor, County Exec. and every other elected official isn’t screaming for the chief’s head… Are they hearing from their voters?
Wasn’t there a case some years back where the federal government basically temporarily took over the policing duties for a city that had a police force that was screwed up in some way? That may have been due to corruption, but isn’t incompetences close enough?
May 9th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Patrick:
The feds took over LAPD after the Rampart scandal in the mid and late 90′s
May 9th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
In my 30+ years as a big city Detective, I find this to be almost unbelievable, but, knowing the diligence of Bruce, it has to be sadly true. How foolish of me to think that the officers involved in this major screwup were disciplined or dismissed from the service. They were probably promoted and now are high rankers within Mad PD and smoking Cuban cigars. Glenn, polish your shoes and apply for the top job in Madison as Noble’s days surely have to be numbered. Chief Wray, DON’T LET THE DOOR HIT YA WHERE THE LORD SPLIT YA!!!
May 9th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I do not keep with with other cities but has has any city had such a bad week. 5 days of 911 and police mistakes, blunders and covering their butts.
This is truly amazing….
I am jaded enough to beleive the Brittany stories were held off until late in the spring semester so all the parents did not show up yanking their kids out of school and demanding refunds for the semester.
I wish I could believe they would get rid of Wray and hire a real police chief but I bet they fire Wray and hire someone exactly like him.
Until most of the city and/or the parents and alum of UW madison start putting pressure demanding a safe area for the students do not get your hopes up.
Just my thoughts…
May 9th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Usually police departments with a history of corruption or brutality are monitored by a federal consent decree. It happened to New Orleans. I think Detroit was threatened with a decree. I don’t recall the feds stepping in to take over a department, like Madison, because they couldn’t clear homicides. The FBI may get sent to assist or review investigations. This is typically done by request of the local police.
I know most families don’t have the financial resources to do this. I would suggest these families hire a consultant or private investigator. The problem is Madison police will refuse to turn over any reports.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Glenn, why can’t the police in Madison request help from Milwaukee? Is this something Madison can’t do? Is Noble Wray too proud?
I am just glad Milwaukee has a real police chief. I’ve noticed things are quieter on the east side this spring…knock on wood. Tom Barrett finally got something right. Maybe the mayor of Madison should do the same.
May 10th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Seth, they CAN request help, but I don’t think they will, it would be admitting that they are totally over their head. And if an outside agency, be it the Milwaukee PD, or more likely, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, were to step in, they might uncover more about the Madison PD than the upper echelon of that department would like known.
May 10th, 2008 at 6:47 am
In today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Noble Wray is interviewed and one of the things he says is: “Wray says the number of homeless people has increased in Madison in recent years.
“Some suggest that Madison kind of attracts people here,” he says. “I don’t know if that is urban legend at this time, that we are a resource-rich community. But what I would hate to have happen is this: If there are certain things we are doing here to attract, I think we need to deal with that. But the flip side of this is I would hate if that causes us to reduce or eliminate things that we need to help people that really do need it.”
For a guy who has been with Madison P.D. since 1984, one would think he’d have a clue as to what the basic problems are and how to solve them.
Here’s a real simple solution to the problem of aggressive panhandling and all the crime associated with street bums: If you don’t like the dirt pigeons leave behind then don’t feed them.
Seth, Madison could ask for help but won’t for the very reason Patrick cited in his comment above.
May 10th, 2008 at 7:48 am
These are not hollow words. I’ve got stacks of files on my desk of various leads and tips I’ve received on the Madison Police Department. This is a department which appears, on the surface, to have an administration that is inherently corrupt. If it’s not outright corruption, it’s flawed and unethical policy which has led to bad decision after bad decision… with a history of lying to anyone — victims, the press, other government agencies — in an attempt by senior management not to have their house of cards come crashing to the ground.
Be aware of what’s driving the Isthmus frenzy to expose this department as inept and unethical – it was Bill Lueders’ (news editor of Isthmus) own 10 years of being stonewalled and lied to by the Madison Police Department while documenting the departments repeated mistreatment of a rape victim. His reporting became the groundwork for a book about the department’s mistreatment of the victim, known as “Patty”, Cry Rape. The book led to an admission of guilt by the Madison Police Department to the victim, a resolution of apology from the Madison City Council, and I believe some sort of monetary compensation for the victim, out of court. From the AP report at the link above:
It did not, however, lead to a change in the department’s policies about lying to victims.
The number of stories of corruption/unethical practices by senior management officials in the Madison PD, many of whom are part of this core group, the “cigar fraternity” that a commenter has referred to here repeatedly, is alarming. They have become very adept at covering for each others’ misdeeds and mistakes. If only they were as capable of running a police department in what has become a mecca for criminals in the Midwest.
The reason this department is going out of its way to ask people not to go to “outsiders” with their complaints is that it fears being scrutinized by any entity that isn’t the Madison PD.
A commenter here at BadgerBlogger made reference yesterday to a long-standing belief by the citizens here in Madison – with basis in fact – “if you question the police, you’ll receive a disorderly conduct citation“. I wish I could say this person was joking. This has long been the practice of the Mad PD when it believes a citizen is overstepping their rights and telling officers how to do their job, when often the officers are ignoring basic quality of life issues right in front of their noses.
It’s one of the things that has been so refreshing about watching people in Madison wake from their slumbers and actually begin questioning their beloved “mother government”.
–
Seth, no arm of government in Madison would ever allow itself to be upstaged by any outsiders from Milwaukee. Never. It would never happen. If Milwaukee detectives came sniffing around Madison’s open cases, Madison detectives would tell them to go have a beer and bowl a few frames.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Sir, myself and others have heard many “rumors” about Noble Wray and his cronies. If what you are saying is true why hasn’t the Isthmus reported on any of it? The so-called Madison newspaper, like the one that still prints, carries water for Falk, the mayor and the police department. The TV stations report nothing negative about anyone in city government.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Now c’mon, Tommie. To say that Madison TV stations “report nothing negative about anyone in city government” is a real stretch.
Case in point: Bob D’Angelo.
All it took in his case was his use of city employees, phone lines, storage facilities and office space while operating several private businesses out of a City of Madison building, over a six year period, grossing $238,000 of side income while being paid $118,000 a year as a city employee. It only took a 39 count federal indictment, ultimately resulting in a conviction for mail fraud and tax evasion in a federal court…. and a 12 month prison sentence.
Oh, and also, being accused of sexual harassment by a subordinate, forcing an EEOC investigation.
That’s all it took for the media to report on Bob D’Angelo.
It’s worth noting that even while reporting on the story on the day of his sentencing hearing, the Madison media did it with a caveat: They actually found someone to defend him.
Bob D’Angelo will still receive a City of Madison pension, right? Now THAT will be a waste of taxpayer dollars…
May 10th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Does the Madison Police Dept. find anyone they are looking for? Well, they find officers that meet the diversity requirements for the multi-cultural Madison population. See for yourself:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/police/HiringPkt/hireinfo.pdf
“The Department wants to attract and retain men and women who reflect the diversity of our community. City Ordinance requires us to accept applications from those over 18 years of age. However, those who are successful in our hiring process usually have educational and/or life experiences possessed by more mature individuals. New training classes commonly include a number of individuals who are changing careers. The profile of a “typical†candidate hired by MPD is someone who has at least an associate’s degree (60 college credits) and most have a bachelor’s degree. Age range is from 22-45. Previous experience may include work in teaching, social work, business, law enforcement or a variety of other professions. We are by no means a “one size fits all†employer . . . we value the diversity of all academic, work and life experience.
We want to recruit applicants who can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. We need individuals who can enforce the law while protecting the constitutional rights of all. The Madison Police Department seeks committed individuals who want to work with a multi-cultural citizenry in improving our quality of life”.
It’s like the police are actually a jobs program for those who want to change careers with the promise their work will be focused on “improving our quality of lifeâ€. A cynic might suggest the Madison Police “culture†is more about good intentions than performance results.
May 10th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Random 10 says:
A cynic might suggest the Madison Police “culture†is more about good intentions than performance results.
Might explain why they squawk about having their “feelings hurt” when the families of murder victims question the reason their department isn’t better at preventing and solving crime.
May 10th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I believe those do not pay homage to the cigar fratnerity are back benched. The CF’s operatives undermine morale when they get selected for promotion or get covered for. They’re the Richard Nixons of policing.
May 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
In today’s JS Chief Dis-a-wray claims the Madison Police Dept. has solved 30 of the last 35 homicides. Here’s some info for readers of this blog. Take a closer look at what being “solved” means in Madison. Does that mean anyone is serving time or has even been arraigned? No!
The last two cleared homicides consisted of one goof killing himself and the other knucklehead remaining to turn himself in. Great detective work there.
To the Madison media the 911 hearings are over so now things are all good again. It is on to Rhythm and Booms. The mayor will never admit he errored in favor of affirmative action by having his people hire Wray. Katie Falk will continue to claim “policy” was followed and, in the end, nothing will change. This is the hallmark of “progressive” goverment.
May 10th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Madison Police Department hiring practice:
If you help us meet our diversity quota, we want you.
If you were a social worker who gave out hugs, we want you.
If you were a teacher who couldn’t teach, we want you.
If you were less than successful in your prior profession, and were “let go” or “voluntarily left” after several years, we want you.
Madison Police Department policing philosophy:
Unless you actually see bad guy doing crime, don’t arrest him.
That aggressive panhandler isn’t in the process of escalating to a robbery if that’s what it takes to get money, he’s just down on his luck.
That homeless person who is nearly out of control doesn’t have mental health issues that may require confinement, he’s just eccentric.
That drunken college kid isn’t out of control, he’s just letting off some steam.
Don’t stop that gang member. He might make a complaint that he was singled out because of his race.
Everybody does drugs. It can’t hurt anyone. Using violence to protect the drug trade only happens in movies.
Coversation between the two cops staking out the homicide suspect in Madison:
Is that him?
I don’t know, it kind of looks like him?
Well, that’s why we’re here, right? Because he might be here.
Well, I guess.
So let’s go stop him.
What if it’s not him?
Then we just let him go.
What if he makes a complaint?
Then we just say we thought he was someone else.
What if it is him? He could be dangerous.
But we’re cops.
What if he tries to hurt us? We might have to fight with him.
Well, one time in recruit school they showed us what to do in a fight.
But if he has a gun.. We might have to…
No, that could never happen.
He just got in a car. There he goes.
Why do they even have us in a police car doing this? Don’t they know it contributes to global warming?
It’s because George Bush conspired with big oil to fly planes into buildings so he could invade Iraq, which never gassed the Kurds, so Dick Chaney’s Haliburton could make money.
Coversation between the two cops staking out the homicide suspect in Milwaukee:
That’s him.
Let’s go.
May 10th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Mr. Frankovis you are so correct about Wray. Remember this phrase..NPA..no permanent address. This is the official homeless designation by police in Madison. The problem of bums shaking down the general public is well known. I believe Wray is lying to the media. Bums are a problem and have been a problem for years. Has Rip Van Wray been sleeping behind his desk for the last six years?
I was being scarcastic Bruce. TV in Madison does cover things after federal indictments are handed down. ‘Grease is the word’ in Madison. In reference to the skids for city leaders.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Tommie: I know you were, so was I
But D’Angelo is a textbook example of precisely how badly a bureaucrat in Madison city government must betray the public trust before your co-workers turn on you and rat you out.
May 10th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I remember when I was working on Maple Bluff EMS/Fire and there was an incident one night where the lone police officer for Maple Bluff was fighting a suspect and it was a an all out fight. The City of Madison refused to send help and they had to get help from the Town of Madison from the south side to finally help him out. This was at the beginning of the Wray era. It pretty much showed the respect the City officers showed other county officers, which was little or none.
May 11th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Liberals have no business in police work. All their warm and fuzzy policies are better left for social work and dealing with children. Madison’s police department leadership is the perfect example. Police work isn’t about feeling good unless that feeling good relates to the capture and prosecution of a bad guy and the helping of a legitimate victim. Liberals in police work however apply the feel good sense to the bad guy. They make excuses for what he does and want to give him three, four, and five chances.
The situation described above where a possible killer is observed by officers and apparently NO attempt made to stop and question, is mind boggling. There is no more serious crime than the taking of a human life and to generate that response, or lack of, is an embarrassment to law enforcement.
May 11th, 2008 at 11:29 am
This is what happens when policing buys into the hippie/social work crap. MvnOn nails it: ‘Liberals have no business in police work.’
Madison could be in for a long summer of crime if the police don’t get their act together.
May 11th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Bruce, this Madison “cigar fraternity” sounds a little Clintonian. Are they related to the Lewinksy affair?
May 12th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
[...] JasonF: Bruce, this Madison “cigar fraternity” sounds a little Clintonian…. [...]