Number
260225
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
FPC212429
Sponsor
ALD. MOORE, DIMITRIJEVIC
Title
Motion modifying Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedures 660 - Vehicle Pursuits and Emergency Vehicle Operations and 575 - Video Release Policy.
Analysis
This motion modifies Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 660 - Vehicle Pursuits and Emergency Vehicle Operations. Under the current SOP, department members may engage in vehicle pursuits for reckless driving observed either before or after an attempted traffic stop. This motion modifies the SOP to prohibit department members from engaging in vehicle pursuits for reckless driving when the reckless driving is observed only after an attempted traffic stop. It also requires department members to terminate a pursuit of a reckless driver if continuing the pursuit would increase the danger to the public. In addition, the motion clarifies the existing policy that a vehicle pursuit may not be initiated, or must be terminated, when the only known reason for the attempted stop is an ordinance violation or misdemeanor, unless the SOP otherwise allows the pursuit.
The motion further modifies Milwaukee Police Department SOP 575 - Video Release Policy by requiring the conditional release of video evidence for vehicle pursuits involving death or great bodily harm.
Body
Whereas, Vehicle pursuits have been characterized by the United States Department of Justice as “possibly the most dangerous of all ordinary police activities”; and
Whereas, Vehicle pursuits by the Milwaukee Police Department have significantly increased since 2017, reaching yearly average totals of 974 pursuits between 2018 and 2025; and
Whereas, These totals represent more than a threefold increase compared to the average number of pursuits during the previous three years; and
Whereas, In 2025, 33% of vehicle pursuits by the Milwaukee Police Department involved vehicle crashes; and
Whereas, In 2025, vehicle...
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