OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission Regular Session - April 16, 2026

Common Council — Thursday, April 16, 2026
BodyMilwaukee, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateThursday, April 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:08:17

Transcript — Verbatim
2:14

April sixteenth, twenty twenty-six regular meeting of the fire and police commission.

2:21

Present our commissioners Burgos, Vang, Remy, Schneider, Spence, Spencer, World Patterson, and myself, Commissioner Horwitz.

2:30

Commissioner Evans is excused.

2:32

Also present our FPC executive director, Leon Todd and Deputy Director Jay Pusek.

2:39

Director, please proceed with the agenda.

2:42

Thank you, Madam Chair.

2:44

We will begin with item one public comment.

2:46

For those who would like to speak and are here in person, please come up and sit at the front table when your name is called.

2:52

If you are appearing virtually and have registered in advance to speak, please use the raise my hand feature in the webinar tools and unmute yourself when called upon to speak.

3:01

Each person will be given up to five minutes to speak, and we'll we we will be starting with those who are here in person, starting with Israel Webb.

3:17

Yes.

4:00

After they let this man waltz in and do whatever he wants.

5:00

I do notice an effort being shown by law enforcement that's on the street.

5:04

Um, you know, people are having issue.

5:07

Maybe they can stress like I feel like you're testing my patients.

5:10

I feel like my requests are simple enough for you to, you know, follow some directions.

5:14

You know, sometimes people are frustrated.

5:16

I get that.

5:17

There's a lot to be wary or cautious of.

5:19

So I'm much out taking fire squad now.

5:22

Have a good night.

5:23

Okay, right.

5:23

Thank you.

5:24

Thank you.

5:28

Cynthia Greenwood.

5:30

I'm gonna point for Mr.

5:33

Werski.

5:35

Well, I don't I don't know that he will be here during the public comment portion.

5:39

Um, oh, he keeps online he can hear it.

5:44

There he is, right there.

5:47

And he will be in here in person shortly.

5:49

And he's waving it.

5:50

You're gonna be able to do that.

5:51

Okay, is it okay.

5:58

My comment is for one day here that I support Mr.

6:02

Wibski.

6:03

Um, I think he's been an excellent, excellent, awesome chief, and um I think he's doing a good thing in the community.

6:12

I wish the mayor would give him the money.

6:17

The department, the money to need for new fire trucks and new firehouses.

6:22

So he has my 100% uh support.

6:28

He's an awesome guy, he's one in a million.

6:32

So thank you.

6:33

Thank you very much.

6:34

Thank you.

6:38

Getting longer as we sit here.

6:51

Next we have Emily Stirk.

7:03

Good evening.

7:05

Good evening.

7:07

Uh, my name is Emily Stirk, and I am speaking on behalf of the Milwaukee Turners in my capacity as the research and advocacy associate of our confronting mass incarceration team.

7:17

As you are aware, my colleagues and I monitored the fire and police commission for a six-month period from June 2024 to December 2024.

7:25

And in our white paper, uh, we outlined observations and recommendations for the FPC, and we pointed to the need for this body to intentionally engage the public and rebuild public trust.

7:37

Over the course of the last few months, we have appreciated the ways in which the FPC has worked towards centering public engagement and inviting members of the public, including the turners, to give input on best practices for the public comment portion of your regular meetings.

7:54

Before you engage in conversation about the structure and format of public comment as listed on agenda item 16 in tonight's regular session, there are a few things that I would like for you to consider.

8:06

First, when the Milwaukee Turner's first started monitoring the FPC in June of 2024, public comment was limited to two minutes.

8:15

This practice received criticism from members of the public and even commissioners who noted the limitations of a two-minute testimony.

8:23

Following this criticism, the FPC began the practice of giving each member of the public five minutes to speak.

8:37

The FPC has seen that two minutes is an ineffective amount of time to provide a well-developed argument and state one's peace.

8:45

A five-minute time period for public comment not only matches similar bodies at the city and county level, but also allows for members of the public to substantially articulate their concerns, questions, and suggestions to this body.

9:01

Second, although this commission has repeatedly reminded us that Act 12 has stripped away your authority, public comment is crucial to the work of this body, and Act 12 cannot take that away.

9:13

The importance of public comment is shown time and time again, especially tonight, when a number of people are here speaking to use of force, vehicle pursuits, and video release.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Police Procedures███████████████████████████████████35%
Personnel Matters███████████████████████████████31%
Public Engagement███████████████████19%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Safety███3%
Community Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission Regular Session - April 16, 2026

The Fire and Police Commission (FPC) held its regular meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 5:32 p.m. in City Hall, Room 301-B. Chair Miriam Horwitz presided, with Commissioners Bree Spencer, Dana World-Patterson, LaNelle Ramey, Ruben Burgos, Christopher Snyder, Jeff Spence, and Krissie Fung present. Commissioner Ramon Evans was excused. The meeting included public comment, consent items, a special reappointment, and discussion on police policies, promotion examinations, and public comment procedures. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 2 through 12 were adopted by general consent without debate. These included approval of April 2, 2026 meeting minutes, appointments to Building Maintenance Supervisor, Custodial Worker 1, Police Facilities Laborer, and School Crossing Guard positions within MPD; re-exemption of the Intelligence Analyst position; referrals for examinations/eligible lists for Crime Scene Supervisor, Intelligence Analyst, and IT Project Coordinator positions; and approval of HVAC Maintenance Technician 1 and Technician 3 eligible lists.

Public Comments & Testimony

Seventeen members of the public testified in person or virtually. Key positions expressed:

  • Support for Fire Chief Aaron Lipski's reappointment: Cynthia Greenwood, Amanda DeLeon, Tammy Bockhorst, Tahrea Malik (Samat's House), Chris Anderson (Bell Ambulance), and an unnamed speaker urged reappointment, citing his leadership in the opioid crisis (MORI program, Hope kits) and community engagement.
  • Support for reinstating use of force reporting when firearms are drawn: Mia Heredia (Milwaukee Turners), Nicholas X Doherty (Milwaukee Turners), Julie Hueller Curcio (virtual) argued that officers should file reports whenever they draw a firearm, emphasizing accountability and transparency.
  • Support for stricter vehicle pursuit policies: Tiffany Stark (Milwaukee Alliance), Kayla Patterson, Casey Serrano, Chard Valesz, and Kevin Sas Perez urged adoption of proposed modifications to SOP 660 (vehicle pursuits) and SOP 575 (video release). Stark, Patterson, and Serrano noted nine deaths in summer 2025 from police chases and requested collaboration between FPC and Common Council.
  • Concerns about public comment structure: Emily Sterk (Milwaukee Turners), Kevin Sas Perez, and Chard Valesz opposed reducing public comment time, urging codified procedures and continued five-minute allotments.
  • Other comments: Brian Verdin (Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression) urged FPC meetings in neighborhoods; Israel Webb expressed frustration with law enforcement response.

Discussion Items

  • Reappointment of Fire Chief Aaron Lipski (Item 13): Executive Director Leon Todd noted Chief Lipski's four-year term ends May 17, 2026. The commission set a base salary of $234,000, with total annual salary (including incentives) of $245,793.60. Commissioners praised Chief Lipski's leadership, collaboration, and community focus. The reappointment was approved unanimously (8-0).
  • Communication on SOP 460 – Use of Force (Item 18): Alderman Peter Burgelis presented a substitute motion to restore the requirement that officers file a use of force report when displaying a firearm to effect an arrest. Assistant Chief Craig Sarnau explained the department had removed this in October 2024, arguing that displaying a firearm is not a use of force per national standards and that 182 incidents of display-only occurred in 2024 (13% of uses of force). Commissioners debated the value of tracking such data; Commissioner Spencer and others supported restoration for accountability, while Commissioner Spence raised definitional concerns. The item was placed on file as a communication, with intent to discuss further at a future meeting.
  • Vehicle Pursuits and Video Release (Item 15): Proposed Substitute A, sponsored by Vice Chair Spencer and Commissioner World-Patterson, recommended modifying SOP 660 to prohibit pursuits for reckless driving observed after an attempted stop and to require termination if the pursuit increases public danger. It also recommended adding vehicle pursuits involving death or great bodily harm to categories requiring video release under SOP 575. Commissioner Spencer noted ten deaths occurred in 2025 (nine initially cited, corrected to ten). The resolution was adopted unanimously (8-0).
  • Structure and Format of Public Comment (Item 16): Executive Director Todd outlined options (reducing time from 5 minutes to 2-3 minutes when speaker threshold exceeded, creating longer slots for organizations, adjusting speaker order). Commissioners debated; some favored retaining 5 minutes, others noted repetitive testimony. Chair Horwitz will implement a slip system where speakers can indicate agreement without speaking, and the issue may be revisited. The communication was held to the call of the chair.
  • Minimum Service Requirements for Police Sergeant Exam (Item 17): Todd proposed reducing the continuous service requirement from 7 years to 6 years, with department support. The Milwaukee Police Supervisors Organization (MPSO) proposed maintaining 7 years but allowing detectives with 2 years in role to take the exam after 6 years. Commissioners expressed interest in further discussion, and the matter was referred to the Testing and Recruiting Committee, due back May 12, 2026.
  • MPD SOP Changes (Item 19): Assistant Chief Sarnau presented updates to SOP 090 (prisoner transport in wheelchairs by private ambulance), SOP 300 (removal of no-action encounter references), SOP 375 (electronic satellite pursuit system naming updates), SOP 780 (facilities security name change), and a new SOI for the Crash Reconstruction Unit. Commissioners noted redactions for operational security. The communication was placed on file.
  • Executive Director Report (Item 20): Todd announced Research and Policy Analyst Barbara Cooley's retirement at month end and praised her contributions. The communication was placed on file.
  • Firefighter Lateral Transfer Job Announcement (Item 14): Chief Lipski explained the new bulletin allows lateral transfers from paid career fire departments, with shortened academy training and guardrails to manage volume. The resolution was adopted on a voice vote.
  • Promotions (Items 21-23):
    • Fire Captain Christian Hoos promoted to Battalion Chief (unanimous, 8-0).
    • Lieutenant Matthew D. Thundercloud promoted to Fire Captain (unanimous, 8-0).
    • Jack Renecki promoted to Crime Analyst III (unanimous, 8-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Fire Chief Reappointment: Aaron Lipski reappointed for second four-year term effective May 17, 2026, with base salary of $234,000 (total $245,793.60). Vote: 8-0.
  • Vehicle Pursuit Policy Recommendation: Substitute A (modifying SOP 660 and SOP 575) adopted unanimously. Next steps: MPD may adopt, or matter goes to Common Council.
  • SOP 460 Discussion: No immediate action; placed on file for future consideration.
  • Public Comment Structure: Chair to implement slip system; no change to 5-minute limit at this time.
  • Sergeant Exam Requirements: Referred to Testing and Recruiting Committee; report due May 12, 2026.
  • Consent Items: All 11 items adopted by general consent.
  • Fire Department Promotions Approved: Battalion Chief Hoos, Fire Captain Thundercloud.
  • Police Department Promotion Approved: Crime Analyst III Renecki.
  • Lateral Firefighter Transfer Bulletin Approved: Voice vote.
  • MPD SOP Changes Placed on File: No objections.

Meeting Transcript

April sixteenth, twenty twenty-six regular meeting of the fire and police commission. Present our commissioners Burgos, Vang, Remy, Schneider, Spence, Spencer, World Patterson, and myself, Commissioner Horwitz. Commissioner Evans is excused. Also present our FPC executive director, Leon Todd and Deputy Director Jay Pusek. Director, please proceed with the agenda. Thank you, Madam Chair. We will begin with item one public comment. For those who would like to speak and are here in person, please come up and sit at the front table when your name is called. If you are appearing virtually and have registered in advance to speak, please use the raise my hand feature in the webinar tools and unmute yourself when called upon to speak. Each person will be given up to five minutes to speak, and we'll we we will be starting with those who are here in person, starting with Israel Webb. Yes. After they let this man waltz in and do whatever he wants. I do notice an effort being shown by law enforcement that's on the street. Um, you know, people are having issue. Maybe they can stress like I feel like you're testing my patients. I feel like my requests are simple enough for you to, you know, follow some directions. You know, sometimes people are frustrated. I get that. There's a lot to be wary or cautious of. So I'm much out taking fire squad now. Have a good night. Okay, right. Thank you. Thank you. Cynthia Greenwood. I'm gonna point for Mr. Werski. Well, I don't I don't know that he will be here during the public comment portion. Um, oh, he keeps online he can hear it. There he is, right there. And he will be in here in person shortly. And he's waving it. You're gonna be able to do that. Okay, is it okay. My comment is for one day here that I support Mr. Wibski. Um, I think he's been an excellent, excellent, awesome chief, and um I think he's doing a good thing in the community. I wish the mayor would give him the money. The department, the money to need for new fire trucks and new firehouses. So he has my 100% uh support. He's an awesome guy, he's one in a million. So thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Getting longer as we sit here. Next we have Emily Stirk. Good evening. Good evening. Uh, my name is Emily Stirk, and I am speaking on behalf of the Milwaukee Turners in my capacity as the research and advocacy associate of our confronting mass incarceration team. As you are aware, my colleagues and I monitored the fire and police commission for a six-month period from June 2024 to December 2024.

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