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Madison oversight board disputes council’s authority to dismiss interim police monitor
Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board says the Common Council lacked authority to fire interim monitor Aeiramique Glass, whose dismissal drew protest after a 14-6 vote. Board leaders are seeking a written legal explanation as city officials confirm the terms of her termination.
MADISON, Wis. — Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board is challenging the Common Council’s authority to dismiss interim police monitor Aeiramique Glass, saying the board—not the council—has the power to end her employment.
The council voted 14-6 to terminate Glass after a meeting that began Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning. Board Chair Devon Snyder said the city has relied on Glass’s provisional status to justify the decision, but he said he found inconsistencies after asking city human resources and City Attorney Michael Haas about the applicable rules.
Snyder pointed to civil service exclusions and a June resolution extending Glass’s appointment. He said he has asked Haas to identify in writing the statute authorizing the council to fire her and has not received an answer.
“We have asked publicly time and time over again of what actual legality does the basis of the Common Council have on this, and we have not gotten a straight answer,” Snyder said.
Vice Chair Heyln Luisi-Mills said the board considers Glass effective and criticized the council’s decision. Council President Sabrina Madison, in a blog post before the vote, argued that Glass’s work had moved the city farther from the effective police oversight residents deserve and from hiring a permanent monitor. Madison also said the resolution does not eliminate the monitor position.
The board said a lawsuit is not planned. Details about Glass’s pay, access and case files were still awaiting confirmation from human resources.
On Wednesday afternoon, demonstrators with Freedom Inc. gathered outside the City-County Building to protest the vote. They placed coffins on the steps, used fake blood and posted signs directed at the 14 alders who voted to dismiss Glass.
Freedom Inc. organizing director Zon Moua said hundreds of people testified before the council vote and that, in Moua’s account, only three or four supported firing Glass. Moua said most speakers believed Glass was doing her job and had built trust in the community.
Sharon Kohli, who attended the demonstration after watching the council meeting, urged alders to heed public testimony. Organizers said they would continue pressing for community control over public safety and police accountability.
The council had not responded to a request for comment on the demonstration by the time of the report.