MADISON (WKOW) -- The Madison Police Department has its next chief.
At a meeting Wednesday night, the city's Police and Fire Commission selected John Patterson for the role. He is currently the Madison Police Department's interim chief.
Patterson has held the interim title since February of 2025, leading the agency after former Chief Shon Barnes took a job in Seattle.
Patterson is a 27-year veteran of the Madison Police Department. He has served in many roles for the agency, from patrol officer to narcotics investigator, to the assistant chief with oversight of police training and hiring.
“I can’t quite put into words how incredibly humbled I feel right now to be named the next permanent Chief of Police of the Madison Police Department. I love our community and this police department,” Patterson said in a statement. “I look forward to furthering our commitment to improving trust and relationships with the community, reinforcing our commitments to community policing and the principles of procedural justice, prioritizing effective communication and transparency, and ensuring that data-informed decision making and effective problem solving are always at the foundation of our everyday operations.”
The Police and Fire Commission expressed its support and confidence in Patterson's leadership. It will now be issuing a conditional offer of appointment.
“I want to congratulate Chief Patterson on being selected by the Police & Fire Commission to be Madison’s next Police Chief. I’ve been impressed by the leadership he’s shown as acting chief and his many years with MPD,” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a statement. “We share a commitment to data-driven policing that focuses on a holistic approach to public safety. Chief Patterson is committed to serving our community and I look forward to continuing to work with him to finetune an already strong department.”
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