The vote came without council deliberation after a meeting that began at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 and lasted until 6:30 a.m. Nearly 100 people filled the City-County Building’s council gallery, with officials opening an overflow room. More than 300 residents registered against Glass’ removal, compared with 177 who supported it.

Glass was hired by the Police Civilian Oversight Board last fall to temporarily lead the office, investigate complaints and help recruit a permanent monitor. Her employment was scheduled to end in March. Council members had unanimously approved an extension of her contract in June.

Supporters at the meeting credited Glass with building the office and making progress on investigations, while warning that removing her could weaken independent oversight. Critics raised concerns about her conduct and compliance with city policies, including her public comments and management decisions.

Some of the criticism centered on an Aug. 4 confrontation, when police cleared a memorial encampment near the site where Corey Ruiz was fatally shot by Madison police officer Kiel Baitinger-Peterson on July 22. Glass tried to obtain an officer’s badge number as police surrounded and grabbed her, according to footage captured by a police drone. Glass was later seen with injuries and said she would “burn the city down” amid the fallout.

Ald. Regina Vidaver argued in a blog post before the vote that Glass’ conduct had undercut confidence in her objectivity. Vidaver also cited concerns about Glass’ use of social media, hiring outside attorneys and coordination with the city’s Human Resources Department. During the council meeting, Ald. Yannette Figueroa Cole questioned Glass about authorizing a staff member to work temporarily overseas while on medical leave. Glass said she believed she had authority to clear the arrangement with the Information Technology Department.

Ald. Will Ochowicz, who introduced the removal resolution, said his primary concern was the lack of progress in hiring a permanent monitor. Glass said she had not intended to hold the position permanently and had recused herself from board meetings while officials clarified the terms of her role.

The office’s future staffing and budget are also in question. Glass had sought nearly twice the current funding in the city’s 2027 budget to add a full-time data analyst, an investigator and a part-time administrator, and to fund outside legal counsel. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s proposed operating budget instead provides about $432,000 to continue current services, including a part-time data analyst.

Greg Gelembiuk, the office’s data analyst, said open cases are paused following Glass’ termination. He is on a water-only fast in protest, according to his letter to council members. Gelembiuk said the dispute extended beyond Glass, describing it as a threat to the oversight board’s authority and independent police oversight. His characterization was not presented as a council finding.

Police Civilian Oversight Board Chair Devon Snyder said he was disappointed by the council’s decision and concerned about the future of oversight. “The community deserves a strong, credible, and independent oversight system,” he said in a statement.

City Council Chief of Staff Karen Kapusta-Pofahl has been appointed to address structural challenges in the interim, with guidance from the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. Ald. Julia Matthews also introduced a resolution calling for an outside advisory group to help hire a permanent monitor; it is expected to be considered by the Finance Committee.

The council’s vote followed weeks of community tension after Ruiz’s death and the clearing of the encampment. Speakers at the meeting also called on city officials to respond to residents’ demands for accountability and transparency in policing.