The Madison Police Department’s interim police chief was selected Wednesday for the permanent role, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The announcement came seven months after John Patterson was named acting chief to fill in for his predecessor, Shone Barnes.
The Madison Police and Fire Commission’s (PFC) vote to offer Patterson the job was unanimous and followed months of interviews and public comment.
The commission had narrowed the candidate pool to three in July, including captain of training Stephanie Drescher, Patterson’s fellow officer, and Steven Johnson, an assistant chief in the Milwaukee Police Department.
In Patterson’s final interview with PFC on Aug. 14, he said he would not pursue jobs outside of the Madison Police Department if he became chief.
