Kenosha and Madison PD's

[Hutch]

Any of you guys from these dept's?

What do you think of them?
What are there city's like for family living, Etc?

[keith758]

I don't work for either of them, but from what I understand, the Madison P.D. is a very professional, if somewhat liberal department. Kenosha is more of an urban type situation. I haven't heard anything negative about them.

[Hutch]

I have heard the same things...

How about living and raising a family in those areas... I havn't been to Madison in along time...

[x5150x]

I just moved my wife and baby out of Madison to a small rural town an hour away.

Madison is great to visit if you are a conservative and, I presume, awesome to live in if you are of the other persuasion.

[keith758]

If I had to choose between the 2, I'd go with Madison. The city seems much cleaner and there are a lot more activities in Madison. The cost of living in either is relatively high, by Wisconsin standards. There are a lot of great medium sized communities in the state that have good P.D.s and have a lot to offer. You might want to check some of them out.

[kirch]

I don't work for Madison, but for a suburban agency in the Madison area.

Madison PD is arguably one of the most professional police organizations in the state, by my opinion. Very big on being responsive to the wants and desires of the community, especially under the new chief. The new chief is from inside and well-respected by the rank-and-file. Competition for spots on MPD is very intense -- this last class had nearly a thousand applicants for 20 spots. One thing you need to be aware of with MPD, no matter what your experience (or lack thereof), they will put you through their academy. The academy and FTO program takes about a year.

Living in the Madison area is great, if you ask me. I am originally from northern Wisconsin, and sometimes miss the easy access to public lands. But other than that, I've been very happy living down hear for the last 16 years. I don't live in Madison proper (starter homes were more than I wanted to spend 10 years ago), but in a community about 20 minutes away. The nice thing about Dane County is that you can live in a very rural area, then be downtown catching a Broadway play at the Overture Center in about 25 minutes.

Can't comment on North Chicago, er, I mean, Kenosha.

[jeeper]

Can't comment on Kenosha, don't know anyone from that area. Don't think I've even been to Kenosha in 15 years.

Madison, however...I work in the Madison area, and LOVE living here. MPD is HIGHLY professional. They have alot of great programs and are very responsive and attentive to their community. The PD tends to like to hire officers that they can mold to their desires rather than those with a ton of police experience. The new chief so far seems to be only making it a better department (except for that whole Taser thing). MPD is big on diversity and open mindedness, so if you tend to be of the ignorant type, don't even try. MPD has great pay and benefits and allows for advancement and a ton of different specialties. Yeah, the city is a little pricey to live in, but they have no residency requirement.

Now for a mini-rant: You mentioned that you've "heard things". I am in NO way trying to flame you or insult you. Largely, cops in WI who mention that they've heard stuff about MPD tend to have a very negative view of the department. Many of these officers have NEVER met nor worked with an MPD officer. They have no clue about the capabilities of MPD or their professionalism, yeah the city tends to want things done more sensitively than most, but the PD has no problem getting it done on the street either, which seems to be very contrary to the opinion of MPD around other parts of the state. Ok, rant off. Like I said, not trying to flame you, but I'm sick of cops from around the state thinking Madison area (specifically MPD) cops don't know how to get things done.

[Hutch]

what I "heard" where all the good things about Madison... I am sorry I didn't mention that. Tons of people have been telling me the same things about Madison Fun Place to work for a great dept. and very beautiful to live...

I am going to throw an app over there and see what happens... I know the competition is high... That only gets me more excited.. hahaha...

Thanks Guys!

[keith758]

As a side note, I had to go to Madison for the weekend, and I have never seen so many cars with "John Kerry for President" bumper stickers before. The election is over, he lost, but evidentally, they still think he has a chance! It is a beautiful city, and there are a lot of things to do. Just don't even try to be a conservative there.

[K9 Police]

I just left a department in the Racine area so I have worked with Kenosha PD before. They are a good agency, but if I had to pick I would take Madison over Kenosha. Kirch is right by calling it North Chicago. Still, its better than Racine!

K9

[Hutch]

I quess I don't understand what is ment by the "north Chicago"... I am sure it is probly not like some ole quiet country town, but then again it is probly not like South Phx, Az either...

I have a 5 year old that needs to be a part of good school, that is my only concern!

[kirch]

I quess I don't understand what is ment by the "north Chicago"... I am sure it is probly not like some ole quiet country town, but then again it is probly not like South Phx, Az either...

I have a 5 year old that needs to be a part of good school, that is my only concern!My comment was a light-hearted jab at the fact that many Wisconsinites consider Kenosha and Racine to simply be northern suburbs of Chicago.

[lightfighter21]

I work with MAPD officers fairly often. I think you do not have to worry about the officers. Cops are cops. All but one that I have worked with have been good guys and galls. Funny thing about it, the one guy I had problems with was formerly employed by my agency.

As far as the department there are a few issuses I may not agree with but MAPD overall appears to be a good department.

I have spoken to several MAPD dayshifters (old timers) and they have been fairly negative. I think much of that is the fact they are "old timers."

I would not work for them, but I do think they are a good department.
I would not idolize them, all depts big or small have problems. It all depend on who you talk too. I think the positives out weigh the negative.

As far as Madison, I hate it here. When I retire I am gone. The political climate is too liberal for me. The taxes are out of this world and housing prices are the same. I am from the Milwaukee surburbs which are not any cheeper now. Progressive Dane and the other political lefties can have this place. The answer to any problem here is to throw more money at it.

But with all that said I probably would pick Madison over your other choice. Also there a a fair number of smaller depts here that are not to bad to work for.

[Badgerland]

As far as Madison, I hate it here. When I retire I am gone. The political climate is too liberal for me. The taxes are out of this world and housing prices are the same.

Brother, you hit the nail on the head. I hate politics. The taxes are crazy, and I'm sure it will be a matter of time before Madison East High School is up for a multi-million dollar overhaul or demolition. The family and I are packing it up and building a house 12 miles to the east.

I actually disagree with you about your assesment of the Madison officers. I like the old-timers. They are always cool. I have a problem with a handful of the newcomers. Some of them have a holier than thou attitude. A lot of the new guys are cool, but sometimes you will get some who don't think they need to give the time of day to a neighboring agency.

[lightfighter21]

I did not mean I did'nt like the old timers. Sometime they can turn bitter the closer retirement is. Actually I find them humerous, because they are usually the ones that tell you the way it really is.