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MPD updates SOPs, including towing rule tied to new ordinance; commissioners ask for public clarity
Summary
MPD described five updates to standard operating procedures — notably a towing policy revised to reflect a city ordinance tied to state Senate Bill 65 — and answered commissioners' questions about stolen-vehicle processes and ballistic shield training.
The Milwaukee Police Department briefed the Fire and Police Commission on Nov. 20 about five proposed updates to department policy, including rules on premises investigations, ballistic shields, death notifications, a McArthur book-and-release program, and towing of vehicles.
Assistant Chief Sarno described the changes as operational guidance and said the towing update reflects a newly adopted city ordinance, which was built off state Senate Bill 65 and the common council’s ordinance adopted and signed by the mayor. He said the towing SOP references that ordinance and explains procedures for impounding vehicles used in reckless driving offenses.
Commissioners sought clarifications. Commissioner Ramey asked how the towing rule applies when a car used in reckless driving is later found to have been stolen; Sarno said officers must make reasonable efforts to determine whether a vehicle is stolen and to contact the owner before impounding. Chief of Staff Heather Hope added that owners can recover stolen vehicles without fees in such cases and agreed the department could post explanatory information on its social media channels.
A commissioner also asked about a change to SOP 470 removing an annual ballistic-shield refresher training requirement. Sarno said initial training was provided two summers earlier after the department acquired 14 shields (two per district) and the academy judged routine refreshers unnecessary for carriage and basic operation; he referenced a recent critical incident in which a shield protected officers.
The commission did not vote to adopt or reject the policies at this meeting; the changes were presented as a communication and commissioners asked staff to clarify public-facing materials where confusion could arise (for example, owner liability when stolen vehicles are involved).
