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Committee holds request to fill five MPD sergeant positions amid questions about rank allocation and pipeline
Summary
The Finance & Personnel Committee voted 4-1 to hold a request to fill five Milwaukee Police Department sergeant positions while members seek detail on the promotion pipeline, vacancy distribution and budget impact for sworn strength under state requirements.
The Finance & Personnel Committee on Oct. 29 temporarily held a request to fill five Milwaukee Police Department sergeant positions after members asked for more detail about vacancies across ranks and the promotion pipeline.
"So we do have a referral list for the police sergeants," Meryl Simmons, speaking for the department, said when asked whether candidates were available for promotion. Simmons said the current sergeant referral list expires May 16, 2026.
Alderman Scott Speicher moved to hold the sergeant positions so the City could review whether rank allocation is producing a top-heavy structure and to allow the Public Safety Committee and finance staff to assess overtime and patrol staffing impacts. Alderman Peter Bergellis asked for specifics on 11 other sergeant vacancies listed on the agenda; department staff said they would provide the detailed locations and status in the coming days.
Because an objection was raised to the hold, the committee took a roll call. The hold on filling five sergeant positions prevailed, 4-1. No change was made during the meeting to lieutenant or officer position authorities that were not specifically held.
The department said it seeks authority to fill sergeant vacancies recommended by leadership but agreed to provide members the requested breakdown of which vacancies the department is not seeking to fill now.
