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Satya Rhodes-Conway Backs Phased Body Camera Rollout for Madison Police Following Fatal Shooting of Corey Ruiz

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has proposed a three-year phased-in plan to equip the entire Madison Police Department with body-worn cameras by 2029. The proposal follows the fatal shooting of Corey Ruiz, a 38-year-old Black man, who was shot by an officer during a brief scuffle at an intersection. While the city currently lacks department-wide cameras, the new plan seeks to $414,784 in funding to begin the rollout in the north policing district in 2027. The move comes amid significant public pressure and criticism from the Ruiz family's attorneys, who noted that the lack of cameras made the shooting a mystery without bystander footage. The administration announced that the plan aims to repair community trust, which Police Chief John Patterson noted was strained following the shooting. Despite some concerns regarding costs and surveillance, the mayor's proposal aims to provide officers' perspectives and additional context for future incidents. The Madison Common Council is expected to review the proposal for approval in 2026.

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