Madison announces Koval as new police chief

Koval chosen over Capt. Carl Gloede

MADISON, Wis. — Madison police Sgt. Mike Koval will be Madison’s next police chief. Koval was named to the position by the city’s Police and Fire Commission on Friday.

He was one of two internal candidates who became finalists. Koval was chosen over Capt. Carl Gloede.

The city’s police department has been without a permanent police chief since the end of September, when Chief Noble Wray retired after 29 years.

Sgt. Mike Koval has been with the Madison police department since 1983. Koval said becoming chief concludes his two biggest career goals.

“There’s only two positions I ever wanted in the Madison police department the Sargent of training, where you get to select the talent and train the talent and then the chief of police because the chief then gets to take that same experience and create it district wide”, Koval said.

The commission began interviews in March with 20 candidates and narrowed down to two finalist, Koval and Capt. Carl Gloede, the commander of the central district and former secret service agent.

Koval has been with the department for over three decades and most recently acted as the personnel and training recruiter.

The former FBI agent and hostage negotiator said his goal is to change the public’s view on police force in the community.

“We are going to be guardians right now and guardians lead which means; listen, explain, allow for creative options, and always treat people with dignity.”