Meet Our Staff

Director Of Public Safety

jbottoni[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Director James Bottoni) has been with the Public Safety Services department since August of 2007. Upon his arrival, he immediately assessed the current state of the department and began to redefine and develop its mission and role within the District. Prior to joining the College, Director Bottoni served as the Director of Security and Visitor Services for eight (8) years at the Milwaukee Public Museum. His prior experience also included 15 years of services as the Director of Public Safety at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Director Bottoni’s other experiences include six years of service in the United States Army where he was a Military Police Officer and received the Distinguished Graduate Award. He has a Bachelor of Science-Business Administration and Management degree, and is an active member of the International Association of College Law Enforcement Administrators as well as the International Association of Chiefs of Police. When Director Bottoni is not serving the District, he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and his two horses, Bear and Guardian, with his wife, Faith.

Lieutenant of Operations

jbmcfarlane[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Lieutenant Jim McFarlane) joined the department in January 2011. Before joining Madison College, Lieutenant McFarlane worked for the Fall River Police Department where he achieved the rank of Sergeant and served as the Police Firearms Instructor for 10 of his 12 years with the force. Prior to starting his civilian law enforcement career, he served as a Military Police Officer for four years in the United States Marine Corps.  Lieutenant McFarlane is a certified Evidence Technician, trained and experienced as a forensic imaging specialist, and is a member of the Wisconsin Identification Association. He is a 1999 graduate earning his associates degree in Police Science and completing the Wisconsin Police Academy, both at Madison College. When he is not working at the College, he enjoys riding his Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle, watching the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers, playing with his German Shepherds Sophie and JJ, fishing, and participating in various firearms shooting sports.

Patrol Sergeant

jpsteffen[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Sergeant Joe Steffen) has been with the department since 2006, when he worked as a student officer while completing the Law Enforcement Academy at Madison College.  Sergeant Steffen became a permanent, full time officer with the department in August 2010. He received his associate degree in Criminal Justice from Madison College and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University. In addition to working at Madison College, he also works part time as a Police Officer for the Fall River Police Department. His past experience includes serving as a Certified Emergency Medical Technician. Sergeant Steffen is an avid sportsman and when he is not working you will likely find him in the woods or field hunting, snowboarding, or enjoying a round of golf. He also enjoys spending quality time with his finace, Megan and their newly acquired black lab, Buddy Lee.

Patrol Officer

tambler[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Officer Tom Ambler) has been with the department since 2008. Officer Ambler past experiences include a brief time working for the University of Wisconsin Parking Department and a 20+year career with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, where he served in several different capacities over the years. Because of his distinguished career in the Dane County area, Officer Ambler acts as the department’s liaison in contacting other local law enforcement agencies when seeking information or when following up on issues. Officer Ambler is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, and most recently has enjoyed participating in disc golf.

Patrol Officer

clahaise[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Officer Curtis La Haise) has been with the department since 2008. He came to Madison College with more than two decades of law enforcement and public safety experience. Prior to coming to Wisconsin, he worked for the City of Upland Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Department of Corrections as a police officer, training officer, gang investigator, crime prevention officer, and corrections supervisor. After arriving in the Badger State, Officer LaHaise served the Village of Mount Horeb as a police officer, volunteer firefighter and EMT. He has experience working in a college atmosphere in the position of Assistant Director of Campus Safety and Security for Edgewood College. With a life-long interest in safety and security, Officer LaHaise continues his training, most recently obtaining both the Security Specialist and the Crime Prevention Practitioner certificates from Fox Valley Technical College. When not serving the district, he enjoys spending time with his wife, dogs and friends; consulting and training others about safety and security issues; teaching Wisconsin Hunter Safety; performing home remodeling and cooking righteous BBQ!

Patrol Officer

cljohnson2[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Officer Corey Johnson) started his career with the department in 2007 as a student officer, and in October 2010 he was hired as a permanent, full-time officer. Officer Johnson obtained his associate degree in Criminal Justice and went on to complete the Law Enforcement Academy, both at Madison College. In addition to working at the College, he also works for the Blooming Grove Fire Department as a volunteer fire fighter and a certified Emergency Medical Technician. Because of this experience, Office Johnson serves as the department’s primary medical responder and is in charge of maintaining the department’s medical equipment. When not working, Officer Johnson enjoys golfing, watching baseball, and playing volleyball.

Patrol Officer

straubhaar[at] madisoncollege [dot] org (Officer Chelsey Straubhaar) has been with the department since 2009, when she worked as a student officer while completing the Criminal Justice Program at Madison College.  Officer Straubhaar became a full time officer with the department in April 2012.She is a graduate from the Criminal Justice Associates Degree Program from Madison College and is currently working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Upper Iowa and will graduate July of 2012. She works at University of Wisconsin Madison Police Department as a Security Officer on her off days at the College.Officer Straubhaar enjoys volunteering her time.  She is currently an Associate Advisor with the Dane County Deputy Sheriff Explorer Post 2125 training youth in law enforcement tactics.  She is a volunteer fire fighter with the Marshall Fire Department.  When not working she enjoys watching the Green Bay Packers, and spending time with her friends and family.

Patrol Officer

nmtatro[at] madisoncollege [dot] org (Officer Nicalus Tatro) has been with the department since April of 2010 employeed intially as a student Officer he finished his associate’s degree in criminal justice at Madison College in 2012. Officer Tatro became a full-time officer with the department in April 2012.  In addition to working at Madison College, he works part time as a Police Officer for the Fall River Police Department.  When Officer Tatro is not serving the district or the police department his hobbies include: recreational weight lifting, playing a round of golf, cheering on the Brew Crew and in the colder months snowboarding.

Project Leader Security Technician

jluthanen[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Jeff Luthanen) began his career with Madison College in 1980 when he was hired as a maintenance employee. While working in the Maintenance department, Jeff soon became the primary staff responsible for locks and doors. When the Public Safety Security department was created, his position moved to the new area. Jeff continues to be responsible for the door access control systems for the District, as well as the security alarm systems, and the closed circuit television (CCTV) security systems.  When Jeff is not working for the College, he enjoys gardening, participating in community events, and spending time with his family.

Administrative/Dispatch

tfuller[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Tracy Fuller) worked for the College as a temporary employee in several different roles before being hired in the Enrollment Center in 2007. In 2008 she transferred to the Public Safety Services department taking on the role of the department’s Administrative Specialist. Tracy obtained her associated degree in Liberal Studies from the Honolulu Community College. Tracy’s responsibilities go beyond administrative support; she also serves as the department’s dispatcher and is in constant communication with the officers on patrol. When not at work, Tracy enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her children.

Student Officer and Student Dispatch positions

The Public Safety Services department also hires a number of students to assist the department achieve its goals and serve the District. Students hired to serve as student officers are all enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at Madison College, and gain experience in their career choice by assisting full-time officers in incident response.