The Madison Police Department (MPD) announced its new Service Excellence and Outreach Section, dedicated to improving quality assurance and the continuance of self-improvement across the department.
This addition, set to debut in February 2027, has been in the works for over a year under Police Chief John Patterson.
According to Captain Matthew Nordquist, who will be leading the division, MPD sent personnel to different cities around the country in winter 2025 to survey similar programs, hoping to gain insight into their results and processes.
Once the idea was finalized, the department underwent their annual shift change which ultimately established the new section.
Nordquist told The Daily Cardinal he believes “the community benefits when they have the highest level of service and highest level of communication from their police department.”
The aim of this division is just that: constant self-evaluation and an implementation of change that addresses the found issues.
Nordquist detailed the three divisions the Service Excellence and Outreach unit is divided into: Use of Force, Community Outreach and Professional Development. The Use of Force division gathers data from reports, squad videos and audio recordings, compiling data to identify and evaluate where efforts can be improved.
The results will go to the Professional Development division to focus training methods for veteran officers on what needs to be addressed. The Community Outreach division will work with members of the community to identify their needs as well as inform them on the new developments occurring within the MPD.
The Community Outreach Section is being disbanded and the Mental Health Unit is being reassigned to fall under Traffic and Specialized Services next year, under the reorganization.
“I’m very excited for the prospect of this division and what it can provide to the city that we serve but also the officers that work here,” Nordquist said. “If our officers are better, our community is receiving a better product. I feel like we have a real opportunity here to advance what I feel is already an excellent police department.”
Staff Writer
