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
Open Record: Nowhere To Go
When it comes to efforts to install adult-sized changing tables in public restrooms, one Wisconsin lawmaker calls it, 'a matter of human dignity.'
Universal changing tables campaign stalls in Wisconsin
It's a matter of human dignity. That's what one Wisconsin lawmaker says about efforts to install adult-sized changing tables in public restrooms.
Madison school shooting; Natalie Rupnow, what we know about her
Who is 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow – and how did she end up at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison?
East Troy music teacher sexual assault case; Rash reaches plea deal
A former East Troy music teacher, accused of sexually assaulting nine female students, pleaded guilty on Friday to two of nine charges he faced.
Milwaukee streetcar shakeup; The Hop system manager forced to resign
The man in charge of the Milwaukee streetcar system, The Hop, was forced to resign back in October, per internal records that show the manager's alleged misconduct may have cost the city nearly $5 million.
Open Record: Surprise Spending
Contact 6's Jenna Sachs shares two consumer issues where people encountered unexpected expenses.
Open Record: Water Wars
The temps are dipping in Wisconsin, but a water war is still heating up ahead of a new legislative session in January.
Open Record: Family Dynamics
The road to becoming parents can be paved with heartbreak, but now, there's new hope as the path to parenthood evolves.
Open Record: Unclaimed
A veteran died at the Madison VA hospital, but his remains are left to deteriorate in a funeral home cooling system for nearly a year.
Unclaimed veteran's remains stored 11 months due to 'clerical error'
The uncremated remains of an "unclaimed" US Marines veteran sat in a funeral home cooling system in Madison for 11 months.