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FPC refers proposed limits on police vehicle pursuits to oversight committee after heated public comment
Summary
The Fire and Police Commission voted to send a resolution recommending changes to MPD’s SOP 6‑60 (vehicle pursuits) to its Oversight & Accountability Committee for more data, public input and drafting; commissioners heard hours of public testimony before the referral.
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission voted March 5 to refer a resolution recommending modifications to Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure 6‑60 (vehicle pursuits and emergency vehicle operations) to the commission’s Oversight & Accountability Committee for further review and possible amendment.
Vice Chair Bridal Spencer sponsored the resolution and opened item 13 by saying she wanted to ensure the topic remained on the FPC’s agenda and to reduce the number of high‑speed pursuits that can lead to injury or death. "I'm trying to find incremental changes we can make that will reduce the number of vehicle pursuits," she said.
Public comment preceding the commission’s action was extensive and largely urged stricter limits; many speakers asked that pursuits be allowed only in extreme life‑threatening situations and that all pursuit‑related footage from critical incidents be released promptly under SOP 5‑75. At least one commenter, and multiple speakers, cited the alleged Ayala misuse of Flock searches as evidence of systemic oversight failures and urged tighter rules and routine public reporting on pursuits.
Commissioners debated the proposal: several voiced support for more restrictive language backed by research showing restrictive pursuit policies can reduce harm while preserving accountability; others with police experience cautioned that extremely restrictive language carries operational tradeoffs and asked for more data on how prior policy changes affected pursuit rates and outcomes. Commissioner Berto (former officer) described the human costs he has investigated in pursuit‑related crashes and said limits should be careful and evidence‑based.
Assistant Chief Sarno (MPD) told the commission the department intends to provide additional data and implementation details and noted the department is pursuing mitigation tools (GPS tagging and other technologies) through city purchasing processes.
Rather than adopt the resolution as written, the commission voted by voice to send it to the Oversight & Accountability Committee (committee meeting scheduled March 24) to allow staff to gather more data, draft focused language, and take additional public input. The referral passed by voice vote. The committee will prepare recommendations that may be returned to the full commission for a future vote and, if forwarded, may be considered by the common council under the city’s approval process.
