Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Fire and Police Commission (FPC) held its regular meeting on October 15, 2026, chaired by Vice-Chair Krissie Fung in the absence of Chair Miriam Horwitz. The meeting featured extensive public testimony regarding a recent high-profile use-of-force incident involving MPD and the release of the FPC's initial audit of the Milwaukee Police Department's Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program. The board also acted on numerous personnel matters, including appointments, promotions, and reappointments.
(A) Regarding the Arrest and Use of Force Against Nicholas Beaman, Jada Barry, and Kennedy Gray
(B) Regarding the ALPR Audit and Surveillance
FPC ALPR Audit Report (FPC212735) FPC Auditor Michael McConaughey presented the findings of the initial interview phase of the ALPR audit, organized around eight key objectives. The report identified five priority action items for MPD to address by January 1, 2027: appointing a program administrator, creating written criteria for misuse vs. clerical errors, training officers on legal standards for acting on ALPR alerts, improving reporting codes for stops, and formalizing data analysis for camera placement.
Commissioners discussed the audit's limitations, notably its reliance on a single interview. Chair Fung expressed concern over the lack of logging for data exports, heavy reliance on the vendor, and the absence of empirical evidence demonstrating the system's effectiveness. MPD Chief of Staff Heather Huff responded that the audit was based on an incomplete picture and defended the department's internal audit processes and the work of Risk Manager James Lewis. She asserted the city owns its data contractually and committed to further collaboration with the FPC on future audit phases. The audit team and MPD agreed on the need for broader interviews and a deeper data analysis.
MPD Standard Operating Procedure Changes (FPC212736) Chief of Staff Huff and Inspector Sharon De Grant presented updates to two SOPs. SOP 530 (Nuisance Premises) was updated to require a monthly reporting process at the district level. SOP 785 (Sponsorship of Non-Department Members) updated administrative software language and added U.S. work and student visas as acceptable identification.
Department of Emergency Communications Organizational Structure (FPC212737) Manager Andrew Cochran presented a policy formally codifying the organizational structure and chain of command of the DEC following its separation from MPD.
FPC Executive Director Report on Staffing & Operations (FPC212750) Executive Director Leon Todd reported on a new recruiter, new vacancies for a Test Administration Coordinator and Human Resources Assistant, and the final police officer recruit class of the year (57 candidates, starting December 7th). Discussion included the audit unit's capacity to handle the investigative workload.
This is the October 15th, 2026 regular meeting of the Fire and Police Commission. Present are Commissioners Burgos, Evans, Spence, Roe Patterson, and myself, Commissioner Fong. Commissioners Horwitz, Ramey, and Snyder are excused. In the absence of Commissioner Horwitz, I will be chairing today's meeting. Also present is FPC Executive Director Leon Todd. Since it is my first time chairing, I just wanted to say something briefly. Because as many of you know, before I was on the FPC, I used to come and protest at the FPC. I will say that the closed session work that we do is also incredibly important. And we never want to keep you waiting, but we do take longer sometimes than anticipated to ask questions. Since I know that there are a number of new folks here this evening, um, I just want to briefly share as some context. The FPC is a civilian oversight body that strives to enhance public safety for our residents, promote accountability and public trust, increase diversity within the departments, and safeguard the constitutional rights of all people. So we are not the common council. Um the board is comprised of part-time commissioners appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the common council. Um I also understand that there are uh multiple things circulating that have deeply upset the public. Um I anticipate that there will understandably be some strong feelings here tonight. And so it feels appropriate to reiterate that it is an important role of our job to hear those strong feelings. Um and it is always troubling to me as an individual commissioner when members of the community are hurt or feel unheard, and that should be taken seriously. Um we hear all the time from public commenters that because the common council, MPD and the mayor don't have the structure to host spaces like this, that this space is critical to the democratic process in Milwaukee. And we also hear that it can be frustrating not to be able to access the people directly that you want to speak to and to feel like processes are not transparent. Um we will hear one item before public comment um in the interest of um getting someone back to work that needs to go back to work. Um but when we do get to public comment, um I just ask you to be aware of each other's time and please do your best to stick to the time limits as we need to be fair to each speaker. And there are a number of incredibly important issues that uh we want to hear about today, and so I want to ensure that everyone is heard. Um however, I will share the board members generally will not uh respond directly to public comment. Um, and we may not take formal action on a subject raised during public comment unless it's also identified in the meeting notice. That being said, if there are clarifications that the community needs um around things such as the use of force review policy, body worn cameras, citizen complaints, disciplinary and firing authority, or any other aspects or things that you have questions about, we are happy to follow up with you afterwards. Um with that, director, please proceed with the agenda. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh as you noted, we will take one item out of order, which is item 10 under the fire department, FPC 212738 resolution relating to the reappointment request of a former fire lieutenant. I'm just gonna steal his script. Um the board has had an opportunity to interview this former member in closed session earlier this evening. Do any of the commissioners have any additional questions or comments regarding this item? Is there a motion on that matter? Chair, move approval on the resolution. Second. Any discussion. As this is a promotion, I will take a roll call vote in alphabetical order. Sorry, as this is a reappointment request. Uh still a roll call. Uh okay, I will take a roll call vote in alphabetical order. Uh Commissioner Burgos. Aye. Commissioner Evans. Aye. Commissioner Spence. Aye. Commissioner World Patterson. Aye.