
Bryan Polcyn
If there's one thing I've learned after 30 years in radio and television news, it's this -- don't yell at a guy with a gun.
I've been known to get caught up in the moment, especially on 'unscheduled' interviews. I've been yelled at, cursed at, hip-checked, hung up on, threatened and shoved out the door. And, yes, there was that one time a guy came out of his house with a gun and yelled at me -- and I yelled back. I was correctly admonished to never do it again by my news director, my mother and my wife.
I never expected to be an investigative reporter. When I first got into radio in 1991, I wanted to do sports play-by-play. I'd been inspired by one of my childhood heroes, St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck. After four years in radio, I found I had a knack for the news and attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism where I made the leap from radio to television.
In 1998, I became a crime beat reporter for KCCI-TV 8 in Des Moines. In 2000, I joined the special projects unit at WDAF-TV (FOX 4) in Kansas City. And in 2004, I came to WITI-TV FOX6 News to join the investigative team. I've been fortunate to work all these years for a station that values investigative reporting as one of the pillars of our news operation. We get the time to dig into complex issues that have a genuine impact on your life. We hold politicians and government leaders accountable and aim to ensure they are transparent. It's hard work, but it's also fulfilling. I'm grateful every single day that I work for a company that believes in the power and importance of in-depth, hard news reporting.
While I do have a passion for my work, I'm a strong believer in work-life balance. And away from the job, I have a very full life. I'm married with four kids (two of my own, two step-children). In the next few years, we'll have three in college (send money, please!). I love to run, play soccer, go camping, ride roller-coasters, tailgate, and socialize with friends. I'm a big fan of chocolate porter and coffee stout. I can sing a mean karaoke. And I like few things better than a leisurely cruise on a warm summer weekend on my 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500.
If you ride, let me know. Maybe we can get out on one together.
The latest from Bryan Polcyn
Animal rights group sues Ridglan Farms, seeking legal rights for beagles
An animal rights group is suing Ridglan Farms, asking a court to extend habeas corpus protections to beagles bred for research and arguing the dogs are unlawfully confined.
Open Record: Turning Up The Heat
As Milwaukeeans endure the coldest week of the year, one of the city's most prominent landlords is coming under fire.
Open Record: Feeling Cheated
FOX6's Carl Deffenbaugh and Bryan Polcyn are joined by Contact 6 reporter Jenna Sachs to talk about two of her latest stories that left viewers feeling cheated.
Ridglan Farms' lawsuit accusing Dane4Dogs of "extortion" dismissed
The U.S. Constitution protects free speech even if it is aimed at shutting down a business. A case in Dane County bears that out.
Open Record: Power Surge
This week on Open Record, FOX6's Carl Deffenbaugh, Bryan Polcyn and Jason Calvi explore the extreme electricity demands and water use concerns of data centers.
Ridglan Farms under pressure; activists plan large-scale dog rescue
Animal rights activists say they may carry out a mass “open rescue" of dogs at Ridglan Farms, arguing animals remain at risk before the breeder surrenders its license by July 1.
Milwaukee fatal crash, 76th and Morgan; West Allis driver charged
A 21-year-old West Allis man is charged with second-degree reckless homicide after investigators say he ran a red light at high speed and caused a deadly crash on Milwaukee’s south side last week.
Open Record: Benched
In this episode of Open Record, FOX's Carl Deffenbaugh, Bryan Polcyn and Bill Miston recap the Judge Hannah Dugan trial, the political fallout and what comes next.
Milwaukee County Judge Dugan trial: Impact of staircase on the trial
One of the key elements in the Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan trial is a staircase that Eduardo Flores-Ruiz never took.
Judge Hannah Dugan trial: Federal immigration policy in courthouses
For years, courthouses were considered a protected space where immigration arrests could only happen in rare circumstances, so when and why did that change?









