Fire and Police Commission Testing and Recruiting Committee Meeting - July 7, 2026

The Fire and Police Commission's Testing and Recruiting Committee met on July 7, 2026. Commissioners present were Evans, Horwitz, World Patterson, and Spencer (Vice Chair). Commissioner Ramey was excused. Deputy Director Jusick and Staffing Services Manager Molly Keithers also participated. The meeting covered a closed session on litigation, updates on recruitment and hiring efforts, and guidance on implementing volunteer service preference points for promotional exams.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes: The committee unanimously approved the minutes of the May 12, 2026 meeting (FPC 212617) via voice vote.

Discussion Items

• Litigation and residency preference points (FPC 212618): The committee convened in closed session under Wisconsin Statute §19.85(1)(g) to confer with Assistant City Attorney Alex Fondus on litigation involving the Fire and Police Commission. After returning to open session, the committee agreed to direct staff to gather more research on residency preference points for promotions. Commissioners expressed a need to determine the purpose and material effect of such points before proceeding.
• Volunteer service preference points for promotional exams (FPC 212620): Staffing Services Manager Molly Keithers reported that an FAQ document and an online form are being developed to process claims. She clarified that volunteer organizations need not be located within Milwaukee city limits, but must benefit the Milwaukee community. The main discussion centered on whether department-sponsored volunteer events (e.g., Police Athletic League, Junior Fire Institute) should qualify. Commissioners expressed general support for allowing such events as long as the volunteering is off-duty, voluntary, and meets the nonprofit requirement. No formal vote was taken, but staff received direction to include department-sponsored events consistent with these conditions.
• Police recruitment and hiring progress (FPC 212619): Staff presented a detailed update on 2026 hiring metrics. Applications are up to 1,230 for the year (average 47/week vs. 39 in 2025), attributed largely to the Safeguard recruiting contract. The newest academy class (Class 2 of 2026) has 31 entry-level recruits plus 6 laterals. Key initiatives include: a new NTN Express written test (launched June 1) to reduce applicant drop-off, a bifurcated physical readiness test (PRT) scoring system, a new psychological testing vendor (National Testing Network) with adverse impact validation, and a new appeal vendor (Thin Line). Badge Bound events have been introduced to strengthen candidate commitment. The employee engagement survey (citywide) closed with a 20-30% response rate from Milwaukee Police Department. Commissioners praised the creativity and hard work of FPC staff, noting the difficulty of meeting state-mandated hiring quotas.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously (FPC 212617).
• Closed session motion to confer with city attorney on litigation passed unanimously.
• Direction to staff: For residency preference points, staff will gather more research before board action. For volunteer service preference points, staff will proceed with including department-sponsored off-duty volunteer events that benefit the Milwaukee community.
• Farewell to Commissioner Bree Spencer: The committee thanked Commissioner Spencer for her service as Vice Chair; she is leaving the commission. Her contributions were recognized, and she indicated she would attend the next meeting on Friday.