Madison Police Clarify Unmarked Vehicles and Officer Uniforms

New placards and clothing requirements aim to improve public identification of local law enforcement.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Madison Police Department has announced changes to help the public better identify its officers and vehicles. Most MPD officers wear standard military-style uniforms with department patches, badges, and nametags. Plainclothes employees like detectives and commanders will now be required to wear jackets or clothing with the MPD logo. All unmarked squad cars will display a special placard indicating they belong to the Madison Police Department.

Why it matters

The changes are intended to bring more clarity and transparency around which law enforcement personnel and vehicles belong to the local Madison police force versus other agencies. This follows recent questions from the public about how to distinguish MPD officers from those of other departments.

The details

The new requirements apply to both uniformed and plainclothes MPD employees. Marked patrol cars will continue to be used, while unmarked vehicles driven by commanders, detectives, and community outreach officers will display the new department placards. The goal is to make it easier for the public to identify local Madison police.

  • The new policies were announced on February 11, 2026.

The players

Madison Police Department

The local law enforcement agency serving the city of Madison, Wisconsin.

John Patterson

The Madison Police Chief who announced the new identification requirements.

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What they’re saying

“We really just wanted to bring some clarity to what people are seeing and experiencing in our community,”

— John Patterson, Madison Police Chief (cityofmadison.com)

The takeaway

The Madison Police Department's new measures aim to improve public trust and transparency by making it easier for residents to identify local law enforcement officers and vehicles, rather than those belonging to other agencies.