Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission Regular Session

June 18, 2026, 6:01 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (City Hall, Room 301-B and virtual)

The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (FPC) held its regular session on June 18, 2026. Among the presenters were Assistant Fire Chief Josh Parrish, Assistant Police Chief Craig Sarnow, and FPC Executive Director Leon Todd. The meeting opened with public comment on police accountability and traffic safety, followed by approval of multiple personnel actions—including promotions within the Fire and Police Departments—and presentations on the MPD Asset Forfeiture Plan and FPC staffing.

Consent Calendar

• FPC212571: Resolution relating to the June 4, 2026, meeting minutes – ADOPTED by general consent.
• FPC212572‑FPC212579: Resolutions for recruitments, examinations, eligible lists, reclassifications, and market studies for various MPD and MFD positions – all ADOPTED by general consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marty Wall (Milwaukee citizen, lifetime resident): Criticized the MPD’s community engagement, noting “880 deaths over eight years in the county,” referencing the unsolved killing of 17‑year‑old Sharon Thornton Jr. in Washington Park two years ago. Asserted that 77 officers were present at the time of the incident yet coordination with the Sheriff’s Department was lacking. Also argued that officers living outside the city cannot be fully present in the community.
• Brian Verdin: Thanked Commissioner Fung, Vice‑Chair Spencer, and Executive Director Todd for their work. Urged the commission and the public to contact Common Council members in support of the pending amendment to SOP 660 (pursuit policy), stating it would reduce chases by only about “11, 112 fewer chases.” Argued that the community overwhelmingly supports the change and criticized the City Attorney’s Office for representing the police union rather than the FPC.

Discussion Items

• Items 11 – FPC212581 (Reclassification of ECO V positions): Proposal to convert vacant Emergency Communication Operator V slots to ECO Supervisor, ECO Records Analyst‑Senior, and ECO Operations Analyst‑Senior within the Department of Emergency Communications, adding a 5% incentive for shift‑lead supervisors. The item had been presented to the Finance and Personnel Committee but not yet passed. Vote: 6‑0 in favor (Horwitz, Spence, World‑Patterson, Ramey, Evans, Fung aye; Burgos, Spencer, Snyder excused). Motion carried.
• Item 12 – FPC212582 (Job Evaluation Report for HR/Business Operations positions): The report covers positions in DEC, MPD, and MFD. The Deputy Director of Employee Relations explained that recommended pay increases are based on labor‑market changes, not reclassifications. For entry‑level professional positions, the city targets 75% of market; for higher levels, about 50% or lower due to fiscal constraints. Commissioner World‑Patterson asked how the city attracts qualified candidates at 50% of market; the Deputy Director noted the cap had been lifted, and the increases were significant relative to previous rates. Staff from DER indicated the report had been before the City Service Commission and would go to Finance and Personnel in approximately three weeks for final approval. Vote: 6‑0 in favor. Motion carried.
• Item 13 – FPC212583 (MPD 2026 Asset Forfeiture Plan): Assistant Chief Craig Sarnow presented MPD’s annual plan. Key details:
  • Gross receipts vary unpredictably (e.g., $220,116 in 2021; $2.5M in 2022; ~$1.3M in 2025).
  • Proceeds come from currency, jewelry, vehicles, and cryptocurrency, primarily from narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, firearms violations, and money laundering.
  • After deductions (third‑party interests, victim payments, federal admin costs, informant awards, expert payments), net proceeds are shared based on each agency’s role in investigations.
  • For 2026, the department requested a transfer of $1,136,565 to support 55 projects across six categories:
    1. Community Engagement (19% – $215,000; 14 projects, including 65 school crossing guard signs, speed boards, smart‑home security cameras, firearm cable locks, and mobile cameras to address illegal dumping)
    2. General Equipment & Supplies (33% – $375,333; recruit Chromebooks, district station furniture upgrades for Districts 1 and 5, latent print fuming chamber, toilet/sink fixtures for holding facilities)
    3. Technology (22% – $245,395; CaseGuard data‑redaction software, cloud‑based records management integration)
    4. Travel & Training (17% – $192,000; department‑wide training, crash reconstruction, drone, canine, crime analysis, human trafficking, and leadership programs)
    5. Contracts (10% – $108,000; Milwaukee Urban Stables lease – 30‑year fixed‑rate lease with an option to purchase)
  • A remaining balance of approximately $800,000 is maintained as a “rainy day fund.”
  • Commissioners asked about the unpredictability of funds, victim notification (handled by DOJ), and whether funds could be clawed back (the Chief stated no such precedent exists). The plan was placed on file; no vote required.
• Item 14 – FPC212584 (FPC Staffing & Operations Report): Executive Director Leon Todd reported five vacancies; two have been filled or are close to acceptance (HRIS auditor starting July 6; program assistant and bilingual investigator nearing offers). The bilingual investigator vacancy was covered through the Clerk’s Office translation services and language line. Chair Horwitz noted that two positions were temporarily held because of uncertainty over work‑day transition duties. The report also highlighted upcoming MKE Badge Bound and recruit classes starting in August (police officer, firefighter, police lateral, police aide, fire cadet). The communication was placed on file.
• Fire Department Promotions (Items 15‑19):
  • Item 15 (FPC212585): Assistant Fire Chief – Darren T. Peters promoted from Deputy Fire Chief. Vote: 6‑0.
  • Item 16 (FPC212586): Deputy Fire Chief – Andrew M. Hargarden promoted from Battalion Chief. Vote: 6‑0.
  • Item 17 (FPC212587): Battalion Fire Chief – Lorenzo A. Williams promoted from Fire Captain. Vote: 6‑0.
  • Item 18 (FPC212588): Fire Captain – Nathan A. King and John D. Zarowski promoted. Vote: 6‑0.
  • Item 19 (FPC212589): Extensions of probationary period for seven firefighters. Vote: 6‑0.
• Police Department Promotions (Items 20‑25):
  • Item 20 (FPC212590): Police Lieutenant – Sergeants Robert Smith, K. Yang Ku, and Julian Nunez promoted. Vote: 6‑0.
  • Item 21 (FPC212591): Police Sergeant – Officers Dustin McGuinness, Leo Cavasos; Detectives Jake Pushneg, Ryan Casey, and Cedric McFadden promoted. Vote: 6‑0.
  • Item 22 (FPC212592): Appointment of six lateral police officer transfers (from other agencies). Vote: 6‑0.
  • Item 23 (FPC212593): Appointment of 43 new police officer recruits. Vote: 6‑0.
  • Item 24 (FPC212594): Reappointment of a former police officer (officer transferred to West Dallas; expressed desire to return because MPD better aligns with her values). Vote: 6‑0.
  • Item 25 (FPC212595): Voluntary demotion of a Building Maintenance Supervisor. Vote: 6‑0.

Key Outcomes

• All personnel actions (consent agenda, fire and police promotions, reappointment, demotion) were approved unanimously (6‑0; three commissioners excused).
• The Job Evaluation Report (Item 12) was adopted; final approval requires subsequent action by the Common Council and the Mayor.
• The ECO V reclassification (Item 11) was adopted.
• The MPD 2026 Asset Forfeiture Plan and the Executive Director’s staffing report were placed on file; no votes were required.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.