Madison Common Council President Sabrina Madison and several alders have agreed to withdraw proposed amendments to the city's police oversight ordinances.
The decision aims to transition toward a collaborative restorative justice process following the police shooting of Corey Ruiz.
The agreement came after a meeting on Sunday, July 26, 2026, between Council President Madison and Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB) Chair Maia Pearson.
The discussion focused on recommendations from the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) regarding operational conflicts within the oversight structure.
During the meeting, NACOLE representatives addressed ongoing operational challenges facing the city's oversight framework in a presentation to the Common Council.
"The reality is with the work of oversight, there has to be some level of trust or willingness to come to the table and set aside personal grievances, whatever the issues are, otherwise, this work can just be stalled and can drastically affect the legitimacy of oversight in the City," NACOLE stated.
Chair Pearson outlined three key priorities, including establishing a public comment agenda item specifically regarding the Office of the Independent Monitor.
Board members also requested an end to the current amendment cycle and sought collaborative discussions to clarify police oversight ordinances without feeling reactionary.
Board members expressed frustration over previous handling of oversight revisions, according to Council President Madison. "Things were being done to them versus with them," said Pearson.
In response, Alders Yannette Figueroa Cole, Derek Field, Will Ochowicz, and Council President Madison agreed to withdraw their sponsored amendments scheduled for the August 4 council meeting.
Vice President Carmella Glenn, Alder Julia Matthews, and Alder Davy Mayer also withdrew or declined to move their respective alternate amendments.
Alder Mayer noted his administrative decision regarding his proposed change. "I will not be moving my amendment to include an alder on the PCOB.
However, it will remain in Legistar as documentation of this process," said Mayer.
The Common Council Chief of Staff will arrange an initial consultation with NACOLE-recommended restorative justice facilitators for Council President Madison and Chair Pearson to improve communication and rebuild organizational trust.
