MILWAUKEE, WI - There is another push from city leaders for changes to the Milwaukee Police Department's pursuit policy, and it is different from the restrictions the department implemented just last month in February.
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission will take up a proposal on Thursday, March 5, FOX6 reported. The proposal calls for new restrictions, particularly on the department's pursuits of reckless driving. The proposal up for discussion urges police to change the policy to stop officers from chasing drivers for reckless driving after the initial traffic stop.
It would also require them to stop a chase if there is immediate danger. The push for these policy changes comes after a deadly year for police pursuits in Milwaukee. Six pursuit-related crashes resulted in the deaths of nine people in 2025, according to department data.
The proposal on the agenda for Thursday is reportedly slightly different from the police pursuit restrictions the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) implemented in February of this year.
Changes to MPD's pursuit policy that took effect in February tighten the circumstances under which officers may chase reckless drivers. Under that updated policy, speed alone can no longer be the sole reason for a pursuit.
Officers must identify at least one additional factor, such as a collision with another vehicle, forcing other drivers to take evasive action to avoid a crash, or failing to slow or stop at a controlled intersection.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson opposes the proposal, saying it has the potential to increase reckless driving in the city, TMJ4 reported. Rodney Triggs said his personal experience shaped his perspective on police pursuits. He was hit by a fleeing driver four years ago while sitting in a parked car.
"Of course, they got him out of the car and lo and behold it's a baby in the car," Triggs said. He said he supports police pursuing suspects for violent felonies, but disagrees with chasing drivers for reckless driving alone.
"If it's not that serious of an offense," Triggs said. "We got the plate number, we've got the make and model of the vehicle, maybe we can go to the house or see whose vehicle it belongs to as opposed to someone that's innocent getting injured."
Retired MPD Captain Andra Williams served on the force before and after a major policy shift in 2017, when the Fire and Police Commission expanded MPD's chase policy to allow officers to pursue reckless drivers. Chases nearly tripled the following year, rising from 369 in 2017 to 940 in 2018.
In 2025, MPD data shows that six out of the nine people who died in police pursuits were innocent victims. Williams cautioned against rolling back the policy. It is important to note that MPD's chief sets the policy, not the Fire and Police Commission.
"You can't start taking tools out of the toolbox and expect the police to be able to perform to the level to keep the public safe," Williams said. Williams said he worries about returning to an era when reckless drivers faced little consequences.
"I would hate to think that we want to go back to that, where these guys can drive around," Williams said. "Not only risking people's lives, damaging people's property and things like that with police basically handcuffed to do anything about it."
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission will take up a proposal on Thursday, March 5, FOX6 reported. The proposal calls for new restrictions, particularly on the department's pursuits of reckless driving. The proposal up for discussion urges police to change the policy to stop officers from chasing drivers for reckless driving after the initial traffic stop.
It would also require them to stop a chase if there is immediate danger. The push for these policy changes comes after a deadly year for police pursuits in Milwaukee. Six pursuit-related crashes resulted in the deaths of nine people in 2025, according to department data.
The proposal on the agenda for Thursday is reportedly slightly different from the police pursuit restrictions the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) implemented in February of this year.
Changes to MPD's pursuit policy that took effect in February tighten the circumstances under which officers may chase reckless drivers. Under that updated policy, speed alone can no longer be the sole reason for a pursuit.
Officers must identify at least one additional factor, such as a collision with another vehicle, forcing other drivers to take evasive action to avoid a crash, or failing to slow or stop at a controlled intersection.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson opposes the proposal, saying it has the potential to increase reckless driving in the city, TMJ4 reported. Rodney Triggs said his personal experience shaped his perspective on police pursuits. He was hit by a fleeing driver four years ago while sitting in a parked car.
"Of course, they got him out of the car and lo and behold it's a baby in the car," Triggs said. He said he supports police pursuing suspects for violent felonies, but disagrees with chasing drivers for reckless driving alone.
"If it's not that serious of an offense," Triggs said. "We got the plate number, we've got the make and model of the vehicle, maybe we can go to the house or see whose vehicle it belongs to as opposed to someone that's innocent getting injured."
Retired MPD Captain Andra Williams served on the force before and after a major policy shift in 2017, when the Fire and Police Commission expanded MPD's chase policy to allow officers to pursue reckless drivers. Chases nearly tripled the following year, rising from 369 in 2017 to 940 in 2018.
In 2025, MPD data shows that six out of the nine people who died in police pursuits were innocent victims. Williams cautioned against rolling back the policy. It is important to note that MPD's chief sets the policy, not the Fire and Police Commission.
"You can't start taking tools out of the toolbox and expect the police to be able to perform to the level to keep the public safe," Williams said. Williams said he worries about returning to an era when reckless drivers faced little consequences.
"I would hate to think that we want to go back to that, where these guys can drive around," Williams said. "Not only risking people's lives, damaging people's property and things like that with police basically handcuffed to do anything about it."
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