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FPC policy review catalogs 2024 SOP and SOG updates, flags older guidelines for further review
Summary
The Fire and Police Commission's annual policy review listed changes to MPD SOPs and MFD SOGs made in 2024, highlighted use-of-force updates recommended by the Community Collaborative Commission, and identified a small set of older guidelines that may merit revision.
At the March 25 meeting the Fire and Police Commission's research and policy analyst presented the FPC's required annual policy review for 2024, summarizing revisions to Milwaukee Police Department standard operating procedures and Milwaukee Fire Department standard operating guidelines and flagging items that may need further attention.
The review noted that MFD revised multiple SOGs in 2024, including a first-responder handbook, guidance on demonstrator/entanglement removals, mass-casualty incident procedures, the respiratory-protection program, decontamination guidelines, and guidance related to ballot boxes, early voting locations and election-day response. The analyst also noted new or updated guidance related to electric vehicle incidents, including lithium iron ion battery emergencies and electrical-vehicle supply equipment.
On MPD SOPs, the report highlighted updates to SOP 2-50 (communications) to reflect the creation of the Department of Emergency Communications and the new CAD/911 systems, and an SOP 2-80 (alarms) change to add availability of burglar-alarm information for repeat victims. The review described additions to SOP 4-60 (use of force) that the presenter said align MPD policy with constitutional standards and the U.S. Supreme Court's Graham v. Connor precedent, add an objectively reasonable standard, expand de-escalation language and require members to give a reasonable amount of time to comply with lawful orders when feasible. The presentation also said a civilian Milwaukee resident was added to the use-of-force committee and that the committee's areas of focus were updated.
The analyst called out three MPD SOPs that had not been updated recently and may merit review: guidelines on intoxicated or incapacitated persons (last revised 2018), landlord-tenant disputes (2018), and recording of police activity by members of the public (2016). The analyst told commissioners that most SOPs are reviewed or approved through MPD's Office of Management Analysis and Planning (OMAP) and that lieutenant-level staff (Lt. Krauske was named) contribute administrative changes and updates.
A commissioner asked whether the FPC can monitor SOPs that are particularly technology-dependent; the analyst said many such updates arrive to the office as administrative changes and that OMAP is generally thorough, but suggested the committee can request additional monitoring or earlier review for rapidly evolving areas.
Ending: The analyst noted links to revised documents were included in the written report and said departments would receive the FPC's review for their consideration; no committee action was required on the report.
