Response to Kelly Hoeft arrest from Madison Police Chief Mike Koval:“On 6/1/17, MPD officers, as well as a street supervisor (sergeant) responded to a traffic complaint regarding a hit-and-run vehicle which had struck some road signs and was driving erratically. Subsequent investigation led officers to the offending vehicle and driver, who was then placed under arrest for operating while impaired (first offense with a passenger under 16 years of age), operating with a prohibited alcohol content, and hit-and-run. The driver is a current Madison Police Officer (Kelly Hoeft) awaiting final adjudication of the charges that have been filed.
Once MPD learned of the arrest of Hoeft, the information was turned over immediately to MPD’s Professional Standards and Internal Affairs Unit to conduct an internal investigation. That investigation has continued and is awaiting resolution of the criminal case before actively proceeding. A determination was also made that Officer Hoeft would not remain in her assignment (Safety Education), and that she would be reassigned to Patrol, provided that she was able to obtain an occupational driver’s license (which she did obtain).
Madison Police Department Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) dictate that in cases of officer involvement in felonies or serious misconduct, the Chief, the PSIA Lieutenant, and the officer’s Commanding Officer must be provided a timely notification. This occurred in the immediate case. One must also remember that fundamental due process also applies to off-duty police officers; one cannot/should not be “sanctioned” unless/until a court decision would warrant such a step. An officer’s employment status while a case progresses is made on a case-by-case basis, taking a broad view of the circumstances.
As Chief, I must be concerned with ensuring the public’s confidence that those who are entrusted to serving our community understand that there is an expectation of being held to a higher standard. When an officer makes a bad decision off-duty, it reflects poorly on all of us. I have spoken with this officer and I know how she deeply regrets what this incident has meant to both her personal reputation as well as that of MPD.
There was nothing done in this case that would occasion the suggestion of preferential treatment or impropriety. A timely investigation, conducted by a Sergeant and two officers, led to the arrest and filing of three charges in the immediate case. Indeed, the officers who responded to the incident acted with exemplary ethics and professionalism. At no point in time was there ever a scintilla of thought that someone would be “under charged” or sheltered from the consequences of their actions. “