'A brief pause': Milwaukee Common Council delays vote to change police chase policy The policy recommendations

Milwaukee city officials delayed a vote Tuesday on proposed changes to the Milwaukee police chase policy, with Alderwoman Sharlene Moore saying the Milwaukee city attorney wants the recommendations to be clarified before proceeding.

 One of the things we want to do is tighten it up a little bit. We want to make sure we put that back out to the public,  Moore said.


The Fire and Police Commission (FPC) has recommended limiting when officers can pursue vehicles. Under the proposal, officers would not be allowed to chase drivers who flee from attempted traffic stops if they are driving recklessly. Additionally, officers would be required to stop chases if they pose a danger to the public.

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman opposes the two proposed changes.

The recommendations follow a change made by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) in February, which eliminated speeding as the sole reason for initiating a chase. That change came after nine people were killed in police chases last year. FPC records show four were killed in chases for reckless driving after a traffic stop, which the recommendations would restrict.

The FPC also proposed requiring MPD to release police chase video to the public within 15 days if a death is involved.

Alderman Peter Burgelis expressed concerns about moving forward without sufficient data on the impact of the February policy change.

 We don't have data yet on how those changes have affected outcomes, and I think it's almost a moot point for the commission to try and act on it and take it a step further before we have data on what changes are already in place,  Burgelis said.

Burgelis also warned that stopping chases for reckless driving could lead to an increase in such behavior.

City Attorney Evan Goyke declined to comment when asked by WISN 12 News.

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