Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission Regular Meeting - July 16, 2026

The Fire and Police Commission (FPC) held a regular session on July 16, 2026, at City Hall, Room 301-B, commencing at 6:38 p.m. and adjourning at 8:42 p.m. Six commissioners were present (Horwitz, World-Patterson, Burgos, Evans, Snyder, Fung); Commissioners Spence and Ramey were excused. The meeting included elections, public comments, consent agenda, examinations, new business, and numerous personnel actions across the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC), Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD), and Milwaukee Police Department (MPD).

Consent Calendar

• Items 4–16 were adopted by general consent, including approval of July 2, 2026 meeting minutes, re-exemption of an Administrative Specialist Senior position in DEC, eligible list for Youth Fleet Apprentice (MFD), classification study referral for Youth Carpenter Apprentice (MFD), and multiple appointments/promotions in MPD and DEC.

Public Comments & Testimony

Six members of the public spoke:

• Tiffany Stark (community activist, Milwaukee Alliance Against Racial Political Repression) expressed support for limiting vehicle police pursuits, citing the two-year anniversary of Samuel Sharp’s death and a rally where a pursuit occurred. She urged the commission to act without waiting for more data, stating, “data is important, but we can save lives.”
• Shannon Fry reported a troubling interaction with a Waukesha police officer in Milwaukee District 3 and criticized the complaint process, asking for clearer procedures and accountability from FPC.
• Amanda Merkwae (Policy and Advocacy Director, ACLU of Wisconsin) opposed the use of Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and the Fusus surveillance system, citing recent misuse by MPD officers, the LAPD ending its Flock contract, and lack of transparency. She demanded audits and SOPs.
• Marty Wall questioned MPD’s audit of Flock cameras and firearms, raised concerns about officer injury claims, and referenced a contract clause allowing officers to “call in injured.”
• Julie Hueller Curcio (Milwaukee County resident) drew a historical analogy between Chief Norman’s training trip to Israel and a fictional 1930s chief training with the SS, urging the commission to address the trip and hold an agenda item on it.
• Kaye LaFond echoed concerns about surveillance, noted three officers with Brady list access to Flock, and criticized the light sentence for former officer Ayala.

Discussion Items

Election of Chair and Vice Chair (Items 1–2): Miriam Horwitz was re-elected Chair and Krissie Fung elected Vice Chair for one-year terms, both by 6–0 votes.

Examinations (Items 17–19): The board approved the Fire Cadet Job Announcement Bulletin, Police Aide Job Announcement Bulletin, and the Police Officer eligible list (101 candidates, including 8 contingent passes). Executive Director Todd noted the list mirrors city demographics and is a significant improvement.

New Business (Items 20–26):

• DEC Operational Policy Changes (Item 20): Deputy Director Dumarant presented new fire-related policies developed with MFD to ensure consistent response plans. Placed on file.
• MPD Vehicle Pursuit Data (Item 21): Assistant Chief Craig Sarna presented a detailed six-month update (Jan–June 2026). Key statistics: 397 pursuits year-to-date (on pace for 794, an 18% decrease from 2025); 78% of pursuits were for reckless driving; 134 pursuit-related crashes (one-third of pursuits); 8 officers injured; no fatalities to suspects or third parties in 2026. Sarna reported 51% of reckless driving pursuits would not have occurred under proposed FPC rule changes. He also outlined planned transparency dashboards, Star Chase technology (16 vehicles), and Haas digital alert systems. Commissioners discussed towing (920 since 2022) and the need for data on drones and pursuit alternatives.
• MPD SOP/SOI Changes (Item 22): Inspector Sharonda Grant presented updates to five procedures, including adding duty-to-intervene language for all law enforcement, updating the safe haven law (30 days instead of 72 hours), removing outdated photo kite camera, and adjusting honor guard requirements. Placed on file.
• Classification Reports (Items 23–25): Approved creation of Youth Carpenter Apprentice (MFD), classification study for new/changed positions in MPD and DEC, and job evaluation for Crime Analyst series (changing FLSA status and raising recruitment rates).
• FPC Staffing Report (Item 26): Executive Director Todd stood on his written report; placed on file.

Department of Emergency Communications (Items 27–35):

• Promotions approved: Emergency Communications Manager (Andrew Cochrane), 5 ECO IVs, 10 ECO IIs, and reappointment of Business Intelligence Analyst.
• Two demotions on probation of Emergency Communications Managers were overturned (both 6–0 votes) after closed session.
• Appointment to Emergency Communications Records Analyst Senior approved; two other appointments placed on file as moot.

Fire Department (Items 36–39): Approved appointments of 49 firefighters (plus one reinstated), 6 contingent firefighters, 28 fire cadets, and 16 contingent fire cadets.

Police Department (Items 40–41): Approved promotion to Crime Analyst III (Lucas Scaland) and extension of probation for a police officer (member not present to be heard).

Key Outcomes

• Elections: Miriam Horwitz re-elected Chair; Krissie Fung elected Vice Chair (both unanimous).
• Demotions Overturned: Two Emergency Communications Manager demotions were overturned by unanimous votes (6–0) after closed session, meaning the employees retained their positions.
• Personnel Actions: Dozens of appointments, promotions, and contingent hires approved across DEC, MFD, and MPD, including 49 firefighters, 28 fire cadets, and a Police Officer eligible list of 101 candidates.
• Policy and Data Reports: All communications from DEC and MPD regarding operational policies, vehicle pursuit data, and SOP changes were placed on file. MPD committed to publishing pursuit dashboards online.
• Future Items: The commission noted an August hiatus; next regular meeting expected in September.