Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Discipline topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MPD presents updates to SOPs, discipline matrix and code of conduct to FPC
Summary
Assistant Chief Sarno described amendments to five MPD SOPs (strip searches, use-of-force language, vehicle-crash reporting) and a refreshed discipline matrix and code of conduct that add non-disciplinary corrective actions, rename sanctions, and add fair-and-impartial-policing as a high-category offense.
The Milwaukee Police Department told the Fire and Police Commission on Dec. 18 it has revised several standard operating procedures and updated its discipline matrix and code of conduct to reflect recent disciplinary decisions and statutory changes.
Assistant Chief Sarno outlined five SOP changes. He said the strip-search section of SOP 085 was adjusted to add one statute (carrying a concealed knife, 941.231) and update code citations. Language tied to an earlier reporting metric under the Sterling Brown settlement was removed from SOP 460 because that settlement provision has sunseted.
The most substantive changes are to SOP 870 (modified assignment/official discipline) and the department’s discipline matrix. Sarno said the revisions add "non-disciplinary corrective action" (policy review, counseling, remedial training), consolidate some reprimand categories into a single written reprimand, replace the term "demotion in rank" with "reduction in rank," and change "discharge" to "separation of service." Sarno also described three types of modified assignment (full administrative suspension without police powers; administrative assignment without police powers; administrative assignment with police powers for critical-incident desk duty).
The revised discipline matrix removes a rigid automatic escalation formula for repeated offenses and instead states the chief "may consider" prior sustained misconduct as an aggravating factor when setting discipline. New or clarified entries include fair-and-impartial policing (biased policing) placed in the highest sanction category and a clarification of the department’s expectations about restraint in the use of force.
Commissioners asked about implementation and vetting inside the department. Sarno said the changes are posted on roll call for 72 hours and members must acknowledge the new language electronically; he also said the meet-and-confer process with unions provides an opportunity for bargaining-unit feedback. Commissioners generally praised steps to track repeat nondisciplinary corrective actions (NDCAs) and to strengthen referral processes to internal affairs.
Because the item was a communication file, no formal vote was required at the meeting.
