Fire and Police Commission Regular Meeting - September 3, 2026

The September 3, 2026 regular meeting of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (FPC) was dominated by extensive public comment regarding the use of Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by the Milwaukee Police Department. The commission also approved a consent agenda of personnel actions, received updates on standard operating procedure changes, and debated a rule waiver for two police aide recruits. Deputy Director Jay Pusick, who is leaving to become a county judge, was honored.

Consent Calendar

• Item 2: Approved the July 16, 2026 meeting minutes (file FPC212666).
• Items 3-9: Approved appointments and eligible lists for: Youth Fleet Apprentice (2), Crime Analyst I (3), Building Maintenance Technician, Crime Scene Supervisor, HR Supervisor, HVAC Maintenance Technician 3, and IT Project Coordinator for MPD.

Public Comments & Testimony

Nearly all public comment speakers opposed the use of Flock ALPRs and called for canceling the contract and banning all mass surveillance. Key speakers and their positions:

• Alandra Garcia (Voces de la Frontera): Asked the commission to not renew the city grant with Flock, citing ICE raids and racist policies.
• Emilio De Torre (Milwaukee Turners): Detailed how MPD circumvented competitive bidding via single-source waivers, called for ending the Flock contract, and questioned the mayor's recent restrictions as insufficient.
• Amanda Merkway (ACLU of Wisconsin): Described Milwaukee's surveillance infrastructure as a panopticon, listed Flock, Genitech, Axon ALPRs, stingrays, drones, and other systems, and argued that the mayor's August 31 actions were not binding.
• Napoleon Jones (public): Shared his experience of being tracked over 100 times by Flock after filing a lawsuit against Waukesha County Sheriff for unlawful traffic stop; expressed anger at the system.
• Rachel Ida Buff (history professor): Called for protection from technology, not by it, and urged intervention in a deadly system.
• Emma Isis (public): Argued that AI lacks human conscience, raised Fourth Amendment concerns, and requested canceling the Flock contract and establishing public accountability for all surveillance.
• Angela Lang (public): Criticized Mayor Johnson and Chief Norman's statements as disingenuous, demanded cancellation of the contract, and challenged the commission to hold a community town hall.
• Nicholas X. Doherty (Milwaukee Turners): Contended regulation will not work, cited multiple abuse cases, and questioned data sharing with fusion centers.
• Ariel Winter (ACLU of Wisconsin): Listed seven misuse cases in Wisconsin, noted that Appleton and other jurisdictions canceled Flock, and advocated for community control over police surveillance (C-COPS).
• Megan Keys (District 3 neighborhood leader): Called for strict regulations, limiting data retention, and banning ALPRs, referencing the Brookfield false arrest incident.
• Bara O'Mari (Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance): Raised risks to Muslim, immigrant, and marginalized communities due to surveillance, particularly in the current anti-Muslim climate.
• Bryn Burris, Asia White, Patrick Holston, Kevin Saez Perez, Gail Milbroth, and others: Expressed opposition to surveillance, cited violations of civil liberties, and warned about data misuse and lack of trust in MPD.
• Candice Awley (League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County): Opposed Flock, citing its threat to democratic rights.
• Leo Barrientos (student): Opposed surveillance, noting that Flock's owner called him a terrorist for opposing surveillance.
• Julia (virtual speaker): Criticized Chief Norman's training in Israel and the commission's inaction; called for accountability.
• Charles Radcliffe: Noted Flock cameras in parks and at UW-Milwaukee, questioning the targeting of protest locations.

Discussion Items

• Item 10 – MPD SOP Changes: Assistant Chief Craig Sarno presented eight policy updates: SOP 40 (Limited Duty Status), SOP 410 (Financial Crime Complaints), SOP 455 (Critical Incident Review Board), SOP 490 (Merit Award Program), SOP 680 (Computer Equipment), SOP 685 (Social Networking Sites), and two SOIs on sexual assault investigations and School Resource Officer (SRO) program. Highlights included updating language for generative AI, creating soft interview rooms in all district stations, and streamlining the Critical Incident Review Board process. No questions on substance, but Commissioner Fung asked about acknowledging problem-oriented policing in merit awards.
• Item 19 – Rule Waiver for Police Aides (FPC212685): The department requested a waiver of Rule XI, Section 2(a) to allow two police aides (Gordon and Zenz) to enter the December 7 academy class a few days before their 21st birthdays. Executive Director Todd opposed, citing insufficient time to complete pre-employment steps and the availability of a March class. Commissioners debated feasibility, consistency, and precedent. Motion to place the item on file passed with one dissent (Commissioner Spence).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: All items adopted by general consent without objection.
• SOP Changes (Item 10): Communication file received; no vote required.
• Personnel Resolutions: All 12 personnel items (appointments, promotions, rescissions) from the Department of Emergency Communications, Fire Department, and Police Department were approved. Votes were voice or roll call as required.
• Rule Waiver (Item 19): Placed on file (failed) based on timing and feasibility concerns. The majority voted to place it on file; Commissioner Spence opposed.
• Rescission of promotion (Item 13): Resolution FPC212679 rescinding an ECO IV promotion due to extended medical leave was adopted after discussion about accommodations.
• Meeting Adjourned: Motion carried.