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Youth group urges Milwaukee police oversight overhaul, outlines five demands
Summary
Leaders Igniting Transformation presented the Fire and Police Commission with five demands — including a 120-day investigation deadline, quarterly public dashboards and neighborhood complaint intake sites — and offered to partner with the commission on implementation.
Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT), a youth-led Milwaukee civic group, told the Fire and Police Commission on Nov. 20 that the city needs stronger civilian oversight of police and a more accessible complaints process.
“ We are mobilizing young people to reimagine public safety by divesting from harmful systems and investing in community based solutions such as youth employment, violence prevention, crisis response teams, mental health services, and restorative justice practices,” said Connor Grossnickle, a civic member with LIT. The group described sustained outreach in Milwaukee and said its research found a large gap between complaints filed and sustained findings.
LIT presented five concrete demands: adopt a 120-day timeline to complete investigations; publish quarterly dashboards showing complaints, outcomes and demographic data (race, gender, ZIP code); expand neighborhood-based complaint intake (including library locations), after-hours filing and language access; hold public hearings before adopting major MPD policies; and increase diversity on the commission and create a community advisory panel.
The presenters acknowledged legal and operational limits the commission faces. “There is a 120-day requirement applying to scheduling trials after discipline is appealed, but there is not one for the investigation stage,” LIT told commissioners, urging the board to clarify timelines and staffing to ensure timely, transparent investigations.
Commissioners responded with praise and questions. Commissioner Ramey applauded the presentation and offered to participate in follow-up meetings; Commissioner Wold Patterson thanked the presenters for the report’s detail. Chair Commissioner Spencer said the presentation would be digested and followed up in future meetings, noting that as a communication file it required no immediate action.
LIT offered to meet again in January or February to work through feasible next steps and to help the commission implement accessible intake options and improved reporting. The commission did not adopt any policy changes at the meeting but several commissioners signaled interest in future engagement.
The commission is expected to consider the LIT recommendations and any staff proposals in subsequent agendas.
