Madison’s Independent Police Monitor Does What Exactly?  cover art
Jun 5, 2023

Madison’s Independent Police Monitor Does What Exactly?

Show Notes

It’s been eight years since the death of local teen Tony Robinson sparked a wave of protests in Madison. There have been several high-profile - and fatal - police shootings of unarmed Madison residents since then. Citizens demanded change. Grieving family members brought federal civil rights lawsuits. The city hired a consultant to review the entire police department. A state law was changed to require outside investigations of police shootings. 


The latest move? Creating an independent city agency that can investigate complaints against the Madison Police Department. 


We speak to the city’s first independent police monitor, Robin Copley. 


Editor's note: At the time of this interview, Copley went by a different name and is referred to as such in the episode.

Also on the show:

🫶🏽 The Best of Madison contests are ON. We’re in the running for Best Local Podcast. Vote for us here. We’re under Arts and Entertainment. 


🗣️ We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Madison an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.


Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! 


Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 


Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Recent EpisodesSee all
‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Madison cover art

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Madison

21 minOct 11, 2026

Another Madison school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean. Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form . Mentioned on the show: Kids using public radio comment sections as ad hoc communication Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options .

Police Monitor Drama, More Parents Say No to Laptops, and Little Free DVD Library cover art

Police Monitor Drama, More Parents Say No to Laptops, and Little Free DVD Library

36 minOct 9, 2026

This week, a Madison Alder made a motion for the Common Council to consider terminating the city’s contract with Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass. Executive Producer Hayley Sperling and Creative Producer Rob Thomas break down that news and dive into the turbulent history behind the office. Then Rob explains why more Madison students are rejecting Chromebooks this year. And Keegan Lynch joins the show to talk about his Corry Street Video , which is like a Little Free Library, but for movies! For neighbors only, we ask an entomologist why the wasps are so out of control right now. Become a City Cast Madison Neighbor today to hear that special segment. Plus, if you join now, you’ll get our limited edition dad hat!   Mentioned on the show: History of Madison's Office of the Independent Police Monitor [WPR] 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected] . We’re also on Instagram !  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter .  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . 

Madison Restaurant News, Wage Gap for Latina Workers, and Nobel Prize Winner at UW cover art

Madison Restaurant News, Wage Gap for Latina Workers, and Nobel Prize Winner at UW

35 minOct 8, 2026

Today is Latina Equal Pay Day , which marks, on average, when in the year a working Latina woman has earned as much as a white, non-Hispanic man. Araceli Esparza, founder and executive director of Midwest Mujeres joins City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling and creative producer Jade Iseri-Ramos to discuss the necessity to discuss wages and the Midwest Mujeres’ upcoming storytelling event. Plus Hayley and Jade talk about shake-ups in Madison’s food scene, and the UW-Madison physics professor who was just awarded a Nobel Prize .  🧢 You are running out of time to get the limited-edition City Cast Madison Neighbors dad hat! Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program to secure your very own hat. Plus, you’ll also enjoy other great perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Become a City Cast Madison Neighbor today! 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected] . We’re also on Instagram !  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter .  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . Learn more about the sponsors of this October 8th episode: Wisconsin Science Festival

How the State Is Failing Disabled Wisconsinites cover art

How the State Is Failing Disabled Wisconsinites

34 minOct 7, 2026

More than 7,000 disabled Wisconsinites are waiting for help navigating the state’s employment development program due to funding cuts. City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin talks with Cap Times Opinion Editor Natalie Eilbert about the program meant to help people with disabilities access employment support, but that is now facing a waitlist of more than 7,600 people. They discuss how a $7 million state funding shortfall has impacted Madisonians with disabilities and will have long-term consequences for the state's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Plus, do you know all the perks that come with a City Cast Madison membership? Creative Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos joins today’s episode to break it down. Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program today and get the limited-edition dad hat! 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected] . We’re also on Instagram !  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter .  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . Learn more about the sponsors of this October 7th episode: Wisconsin Science Festival