Reported by NBC News on January 13, 2015
Madison Police Chief Mike Koval has some strong words to those who penned an open letter accusing his department of bias and contributing to racial disparity in the criminal just system…. The letter was penned by members of the Young, Gifted and Black Coalition. The group has been a driving force behind recent local protests responding to events in Ferguson, New York and Milwaukee…. The group’s open letter, released on Friday, made several demands from the Madison Police Department in regards to community policing, including a line stating: ‘The relationship that we desire to have with the police is simple: no interaction.’ Chief Koval responded, ‘To their edict that we pull out of the neighborhoods: not happening.’… Chief Koval adds, ‘I think that doesn’t begin to address the issue that our neighborhoods are also comprised of victims, of witnesses, of complainants who contrary to what their take is, my take is that when I do community forums, they are begging for the Madison police department to have their presence there….’