By Anita Weier
Northside News
Captain Kelly Donahue, who has headed Madison’s North Police District since 2021, will retire at year-end.
“What an honor it has been to be trusted by the community and the Police Department with the lives of so many people. It is one of the greatest honors of my life,” she said.
Donahue, who joined the Madison Police Department 26 years ago, said that challenges in recent years have been working through the COVID pandemic and during the fear and anger following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“There was fear by the community and the police, and a lack of trust in various communities,” she said. “Some were doubting the trustworthiness of police officers. Having dedicated my life to policing with integrity, it was very difficult for me.”
Donahue tried to re-engage with the community by continuing Coffee with a Cop sessions at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center and at Oakwood Village East. Cookies with a Cop at Lakeview Library was not a big success, but programs at community centers where neighborhood officers joined people for game nights and movie nights were a hit. Officers also supervised a walking bus to Lakeview School for children who lived too close to ride a school bus.
She encourages officers to humanize police by sharing stories of where and how they grew up and difficulties they encountered along the way.
Donahue also takes pride in focusing on “stratified policing,” which is evidence-based. “Through data collection and experiences with officers, we focus resources on areas with increased criminal activity,” she explained. Another success was gaining approval for a body-worn camera pilot project in the North District.
Auto theft is not as big a problem as in the past year, but speeding and reckless driving are still major concerns.
Overall in her career, she has focused on officer wellness. “I am mindful of the toll this job can take on people,” she said. “We have improved as a department in focusing on wellness.”
Donahue is also proud that Madison has one of the highest percentages of female officers in the nation, at 28% last year. “Other departments see what we do to recruit and retain,” she said.
She has been working with the person who will take her place to familiarize him with the job. Like Donahue, Capt. Jamar Gary, who currently heads the East Police District, was raised in this part of town and “is a Purgolder like me.”
Donahue also plans to continue volunteering with a statewide organization that supports families and coworkers of officers who died in the line of duty. She will also volunteer at The River Food Pantry and travel with her husband, who also plans to retire from the Madison Police Department.
“We met in the Police Academy, and we will head out the door together,” she said.
