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Madison oversight board rates interim police monitor highly as removal vote nears
Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board says interim monitor Aeiramique Glass performed at a high level, citing work on accountability, transparency and public awareness. The assessment comes as the Common Council prepares to consider ending her appointment extension.
MADISON, Wis. — The Police Civilian Oversight Board says interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass performed at a high level across the categories it reviewed, issuing its assessment one day before the Common Council was expected to consider a resolution seeking her removal.
The board said Monday that Glass’s evaluation covered areas including compliance with city ordinances, police accountability, racial equity and social justice, leadership and communication. It highlighted efforts to build the monitor’s office operations, improve transparency and communication with the board, and raise public awareness of the office. The full evaluation was not released.
The assessment was finalized during a closed session at Friday’s board meeting. Devon Snyder, who became board chair at that meeting, said the board chose to evaluate Glass despite not being required to do so. “We take our supervisory responsibilities seriously and believe accountability begins with ourselves,” Snyder said in the board’s statement.
The review arrives amid a dispute over Glass’s continued appointment. Earlier this month, District 2 Alder Will Ochowicz introduced a resolution to end the extension of her appointment. The Common Council had extended Glass’s appointment over the summer and has final authority over confirmation to the monitor position.
The debate has also raised questions about the limits of the monitor’s independence and the oversight board’s authority. At Friday’s meeting, Vice Chair Helyn Luisi-Mills asked City Attorney Michael Haas how city officials could avoid undue influence over the monitor. Haas said officials and staff could not direct the monitor not to investigate an incident, while clarifying that the monitor’s office remains a city agency rather than an entirely separate organization.
Board members also discussed seeking outside legal counsel in connection with the proposed termination. A draft resolution sponsored by Alders Carmella Glenn and Julia Matthews would allow the board to select counsel, with the contract capped at $40,000 and subject to approval by the city attorney. The proposal could be introduced as an amendment to the removal resolution at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.
The council’s decision will determine whether Glass remains in the interim role, while the board’s evaluation offers its formal assessment of her performance as the city debates how independent police oversight should work.