FPC oversight committee refers proposed limits on police vehicle pursuits to full commission after public pleas for stricter rules

The Fire and Police Commission's Oversight and Accountability Committee voted to recommend that the full commission consider changes to Milwaukee Police Department policy SOP 660 on vehicle pursuits after multiple public speakers urged tougher limits and greater transparency.

The committee discussed a resolution sponsored by Vice Chair Bree Spencer that would prohibit officers from initiating or continuing vehicle pursuits solely because a vehicle fled after an attempted traffic stop and would require pursuit termination if continuation increases danger to the public. Committee members moved and seconded a motion to send the proposal to the full commission; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: public commenters, family members and community groups said current policy language leaves too much officer discretion and has contributed to deaths and serious injuries. "Police can still make that decision to engage in a reckless pursuit and kill people," said Casey Serrano of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression during the public-comment period. Tiffany Stark, a social worker and Alliance member, described a case she said led to a spinal-cord injury and, later, a death: she told the committee that the injured man's death was confirmed by the medical examiner and gave a date for the later passing.

MPD response and transparency steps: Executive Director Leon Todd told the committee he had discussed the file with MPD leadership; Assistant Chief Craig Sarnoff, joining virtually, said the chief stands by the changes already implemented and that MPD is not supportive of further prohibitions that would categorically bar pursuits for reckless driving after a stop. Sarnoff said MPD is working on greater transparency — including a vehicle-pursuit and use-of-force dashboard to be posted and regular six-month reports to the FPC — and on a response strategy for those affected by pursuit injuries or deaths.

Policy language and definitions were a central focus of debate. Several commissioners questioned the clause that allows pursuit when a vehicle occupant "is about to commit a violent felony," arguing that phrase grants officers discretion in the heat of the moment. Commissioners discussed alternatives such as requiring "current credible information" or other probable-cause‑style thresholds; AC Sarnoff said he would review whether more specific language (similar to Minneapolis' policy) could be incorporated.

Committee action and next steps: Commissioner (speaker 7) moved to forward the resolution — with the expectation that additional elements discussed (clarifications to critical-incident definitions, data-reporting cadence and video-release practices) be considered by stakeholders — and the committee voted to refer the file to the full commission. Staff were asked to produce a clean (redline-to-clean) copy of the proposed SOP language for review before the next hearing.

What was not decided: The committee did not adopt new prohibitions at the meeting; MPD signaled it would not support the stricter prohibition as written, and commissioners said further refinement of definitions and reporting requirements would be handled during the full-commission process.