Fire and Police Committee weighs whether detectives should be eligible to take lieutenant exam

The Fire and Police Commission testing and recruiting committee discussed on Sept. 9 whether detectives in the Milwaukee Police Department should be allowed to test directly for the lieutenant promotional exam and whether detective experience should receive preference points in promotion scoring.

The issue traces to a 2011 memorandum of understanding (MOU) that grandfathered a small set of detectives into eligibility to test for lieutenant after the department merged the prior separate "lieutenant of detectives" and patrol lieutenant tracks. The current written policy requires seven years of continuous service in sergeant, ID supervisor or (for specifically listed detectives) detective ranks to be eligible for the lieutenant exam.

Committee members, union representatives and several detectives described competing perspectives. Matthew Gasolinski, vice president of the Milwaukee Police Supervisors Organization and a lieutenant with MPD, told the committee that the 2018 promotion changes "have been working ever since" and argued that first-line supervisory experience as a sergeant provides accountability and management experience "you need that set." He warned that allowing detectives to "jump their direct bosses" could undercut the pathway the commission adopted after a multi-year review.

Detectives and union leaders urged reconsideration. Detective Jake Pushnick, a homicide detective who said he has been in the detective rank since 2016, said he chose investigative work over sergeant duties and argued detectives can make effective lieutenants. "I believe that all the detectives should be able to take the lieutenant's exam," Pushnick said, adding that candidates must still meet experience thresholds.

Alexander Yallen, president of the Milwaukee Police Association, told the committee the lack of a clear rule since the MOU has left many detectives uncertain about career progression. "There's been all this misinformation or just not clear information on whether the detectives can take this test," Yallen said, urging the commission to give detectives a definitive answer or propose an alternative path.

The committee discussed an intermediate option previously raised in 2018–19: awarding preference points in promotional scoring to recognize detective experience rather than restoring an older direct-promotion pathway. Director Leon Todd and committee members noted prior committee language recommending preference points had not been implemented and that the background for the 2018 decision (including a report compiled at the time) should be considered.

No formal change or vote was taken. Committee members directed FPC staff to gather data and the department perspective and return to the full commission with a neutral analysis on options, including the likely effects of adding preference points and whether restoring a separate detective lieutenant path is feasible. Chair Spencer said the item would be brought back to the full board and that staff should prepare the analysis in time for consideration in October.