MILWAUKEE, WI – The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) out of Wisconsin is reportedly barring the use of facial recognition technology by the department following public outcry expressed during a Fire and Police Commission (FPC) meeting held earlier in February. However, the prohibition on the technology may only be temporary as the department explores crafting concrete policy which may enable the use of said technology in the future.
On February 5th, Milwaukee’s FPC convened where the topic of facial recognition technology utilized by the MPD was addressed, with public comments largely expressing concerns over the department’s use of the technology despite a lacking policy detailing an ethical application.
Reportedly MPD officials confirmed during the meeting that a draft policy regarding the technology had yet to be fully developed, leading to FPC vice chairwoman Bree Spencer urging the department to pause the use of it considering the caveats associated with the novel technology.
Locals who attended the aforementioned meeting highlighted issues pertaining to said technology falsely identifying doppelgangers and those who simply look similar to strangers and relatives. One such attendee, Paul Smith, expressed how his own father is able to unlock his phone which is equipped with facial recognition technology.
“My dad can use my phone because his face looks like mine,” Smith stated, adding, “These cameras don’t work and they punish people, and there’s no presumption of innocence when you’re being watched all the time.”
Another attendee, Nadiyah Johnson, noted past studies which reveal facial recognition technology has a problem correctly identifying individuals with darker skin, saying, “I’m sure that we all can understand why that would be a problem for the city of Milwaukee.”
Within 24 hours of the FPC meeting coming to a close, MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman said his department would prohibit the use of facial recognition technology. However, Chief Norman’s chief of staff, Heather Hough, noted in a released statement on the matter that said pause on the use of such technology is likely only going to be temporary as the department works to craft a policy regarding facial recognition technology.
The Milwaukee Police Association issued their own statement on the matter, saying the decision to ban the technology in the interim leaves union leadership “deeply concerned and disappointed,” highlighting the technology as part of the MPD’s “critical tools that help officers protect the public, solve violent crimes, and safely apprehend dangerous offenders.”
“[F]acial recognition technology is an investigative tool that can assist detectives in generating leads in violent crime cases,” the union emphasized in their released statement, adding, “It does not replace traditional police work or serve as a basis for arrest without further investigation. When used responsibly and with appropriate safeguards, this technology can help identify violent offenders, support victims, and improve case clearance rates.”
On February 5th, Milwaukee’s FPC convened where the topic of facial recognition technology utilized by the MPD was addressed, with public comments largely expressing concerns over the department’s use of the technology despite a lacking policy detailing an ethical application.
Reportedly MPD officials confirmed during the meeting that a draft policy regarding the technology had yet to be fully developed, leading to FPC vice chairwoman Bree Spencer urging the department to pause the use of it considering the caveats associated with the novel technology.
Locals who attended the aforementioned meeting highlighted issues pertaining to said technology falsely identifying doppelgangers and those who simply look similar to strangers and relatives. One such attendee, Paul Smith, expressed how his own father is able to unlock his phone which is equipped with facial recognition technology.
“My dad can use my phone because his face looks like mine,” Smith stated, adding, “These cameras don’t work and they punish people, and there’s no presumption of innocence when you’re being watched all the time.”
Another attendee, Nadiyah Johnson, noted past studies which reveal facial recognition technology has a problem correctly identifying individuals with darker skin, saying, “I’m sure that we all can understand why that would be a problem for the city of Milwaukee.”
Within 24 hours of the FPC meeting coming to a close, MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman said his department would prohibit the use of facial recognition technology. However, Chief Norman’s chief of staff, Heather Hough, noted in a released statement on the matter that said pause on the use of such technology is likely only going to be temporary as the department works to craft a policy regarding facial recognition technology.
The Milwaukee Police Association issued their own statement on the matter, saying the decision to ban the technology in the interim leaves union leadership “deeply concerned and disappointed,” highlighting the technology as part of the MPD’s “critical tools that help officers protect the public, solve violent crimes, and safely apprehend dangerous offenders.”
“[F]acial recognition technology is an investigative tool that can assist detectives in generating leads in violent crime cases,” the union emphasized in their released statement, adding, “It does not replace traditional police work or serve as a basis for arrest without further investigation. When used responsibly and with appropriate safeguards, this technology can help identify violent offenders, support victims, and improve case clearance rates.”
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments