Fire and Police Commission Regular Session – September 3, 2026

The Fire and Police Commission (FPC) held a regular meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2026, starting at 6:55 PM and adjourning at 9:27 PM at City Hall, Room 301-B. All eight commissioners were present. The meeting began with a tribute to departing Deputy Director Jay Pusick, who was appointed as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge. The public comment period was dominated by 30 speakers overwhelmingly opposing the Milwaukee Police Department's (MPD) contract with Flock Safety automated license plate readers (ALPRs), citing misuse, privacy violations, and a demand to cancel the contract. The consent agenda was approved without debate. The commission reviewed and placed on file eight updates to MPD standard operating procedures and standard operating instructions. Personnel actions—appointments, promotions, and rescissions—for the Department of Emergency Communications, Fire Department, and Police Department were approved, with one notable exception: a motion to waive a rule for two police aides to enter the academy before turning 21 was defeated and the resolution placed on file.

Announcement

• Deputy Director Jay Pusick was recognized for his service; he will leave the FPC to serve as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge. Commissioner Horwitz and others praised his contributions to constitutional policing and community oversight.

Consent Calendar

• FPC212666: Resolution approving the July 16, 2026, meeting minutes – ADOPTED by general consent.
• FPC212667: Appointments (2) to Youth Fleet Apprentice within the Milwaukee Fire Department – ADOPTED.
• FPC212668: Appointments (3) to Crime Analyst I position within the Milwaukee Police Department – ADOPTED.
• FPC212669: Building Maintenance Technician eligible list for MPD – ADOPTED.
• FPC212670: Crime Scene Supervisor eligible list for MPD – ADOPTED.
• FPC212671: HR Supervisor eligible list for MPD – ADOPTED.
• FPC212672: HVAC Maintenance Technician 3 eligible list for MPD – ADOPTED.
• FPC212673: IT Project Coordinator eligible list for MPD – ADOPTED.

Public Comments & Testimony

Thirty individuals spoke, nearly all urging the Commission to end MPD's Flock Safety ALPR contract and oppose all mass surveillance technology. Key speakers and positions:

• Alondra Garcia (Voces de la Frontera board president): Asked the FPC not to renew the Flock grant, citing ICE raids and fears of data misuse.
• Kaye Lafond: Demanded a complete ban on all ALPRs, not just Flock.
• Emilio De Torre (Milwaukee Turners): Detailed how MPD circumvented competitive bidding using sole-source contracts and urged the FPC to recommend ending the Flock contract.
• Amanda Merkwae (ACLU of Wisconsin policy director): Described Milwaukee's surveillance infrastructure as a "sprawling panopticon" and listed numerous technologies without proper oversight.
• Napoleon Jones: Described his own experience of being tracked hundreds of times after filing a citizen complaint against Waukesha County Sheriff's deputies, showing records of Flock searches used for retaliation.
• Rachel Ida Buff: Called the surveillance a threat to constitutional liberties.
• Emah Isis: Argued against replacing one policy with another, demanding a community-centered approach and cancellation of Flock.
• Angela Lang: Expressed frustration with the lack of community dialogue and accused the mayor and police chief of being disingenuous.
• Nickolas X Doherty (Milwaukee Turners): Said regulation will not work, citing multiple officer arrests for misuse.
• Bara Omari (Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance): Raised concerns about surveillance targeting Muslim and immigrant communities.
• Candice Owley (League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County): Opposed Flock as a threat to democratic rights.
• Julie Hueller Curcio (virtual): Criticized the Commission for allowing the police chief to train in Israel and ignoring community concerns about surveillance.
• Several other speakers shared personal stories of being wrongly flagged by ALPRs, including a woman held at gunpoint on I-94 due to an outdated Flock alert.

Discussion Items

• FPC212675 – MPD Standard Operating Procedure/Instruction Changes: Assistant Chief Craig Sarno presented eight policy updates, including changes to Limited Duty Status, Financial Crime Complaints, Critical Incident Review Board (now requires chief review within 14 days), Merit Award Program (new awards, single annual ceremony), Computer Equipment, Social Networking Sites (updated for modern platforms, added generative AI language), Sexual Assault Investigations SOI (victim choice of interview location, soft rooms in every district and PAB), and School Resource Officer SOI (assignment beginning of school year, panel interview flexibility). Commissioners expressed appreciation for the soft room expansion and suggested acknowledging problem-oriented policing in awards. The communication was PLACED ON FILE.
• FPC212679 – Rescinding promotion to Emergency Communications Officer IV: The Department explained that the employee (Katie Hanson) had been on extended medical leave and unable to complete required training. After discussion about accommodation obligations and timing, the resolution was ADOPTED (unanimous voice vote).
• FPC212685 – Waive Rule XI, Section 2(a) for two Police Aides: MPD requested a waiver to allow two police aides, who would turn 21 within days of the academy start, to enter the December class. The FPC Executive Director argued that FPC staff could not complete pre-employment processing in time, and noted a March class was available. Commissioner Burgos noted historical practice of waiving the rule when birthdays fell within the same pay period, but other commissioners cited feasibility concerns. The motion to PLACE ON FILE (i.e., reject the waiver) carried 7–1 (Commissioner Burgos dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items were adopted by general consent.
• MPD policy updates were placed on file without further action.
• Appointments and promotions (DEC, Fire, Police) were all approved (mostly unanimous voice votes or roll calls):
  • FPC212677 (15 ECO I appointments) – Adopted.
  • FPC212678 (9 contingent ECO I appointments) – Adopted.
  • FPC212679 (rescind promotion to ECO IV) – Adopted (placed on file).
  • FPC212680 (promotion to Emergency Vehicle Mechanic 3) – Adopted.
  • FPC212681 (promotion without exam to Painter 3) – Adopted (roll call: 8–0).
  • FPC212682 (rescind 4 Firefighter appointments) – Adopted.
  • FPC212683 (rescind 4 Fire Cadet appointments) – Adopted.
  • FPC212684 (promotion to Maintenance Assistant) – Adopted (roll call: 8–0).
  • FPC212685 (waive rule for Police Aides) – Placed on file (7–1).
  • FPC212686 (rescind Police Officer – Transfer) – Adopted.
  • FPC212687 (rescind 14 Police Officer appointments) – Adopted.
  • FPC212688 (rescind 3 Police Aide appointments) – Adopted.
  • FPC212689 (rescind 2 Police District Administrative Assistant appointments) – Adopted.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:27 PM.