In a Reddit Ask Me Anything session, Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain answered personal questions regarding his career and personal preferences.
DeSpain, who occasionally imbues his crime reports with a touch of levity, spoke about his favorite incident reports, career as a journalist, hopes for the city and how he deals with more grave incidents.
A Reddit AMA is a forum type event in which anyone with a Reddit account is free to ask questions to the person conducting it, any member of the public can read the responses.
DeSpain said he was surprised so many people read his reports with such frequency, many of the Redditors voiced their joy at the opportunity to ask him questions.
When asked about his favorite incident report he referred the audience to one involving a possible rapture occurrence.
DeSpain talked about another particularly memorable incident involving an escaped kangaroo.
“There was a report of a kangaroo that had escaped from unknown places, and was seen staggering on the side of the road,” DeSpain said. “I figured someone was smoking something.”
DeSpain, username TheRealJoelDeSpain, said were he given a day as mayor or Madison he would use it to talk with citizens in various neighborhoods to more adequately address their needs. He also voiced his concerns for the city’s homeless population, saying he hopes the people recently displaced from city buildings look for help.
Local leaders gather to speak against banning homeless from city buildings
DeSpain also gave advice on what MPD looks for in new recruits and how to write a good incident report. He said he puts much effort forward to not cause any distress to victims when conducting reports.
DeSpain described his dreams of being a travel writer along with his career as reporter, starting at The Badger Herald, radio and finally television. He said his decision to join MPD was made in the interest of his family, who he has far more opportunity to see now.
This week saw an unusual amount of public exposure for MPD, starting with police Chief Mike Koval having recently been featured in a segment of The Daily Show.
DeSpain said he would be willing to answer any further inquiries via Reddit.
