Fire and Police Commission Releases Report on Police Vehicle Pursuits
There were 306 vehicle pursuits in 2016, the most recorded since 2002.
Police Administration Building, 951 N. James Lovell St. Photo by Christopher Hillard.
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (FPC) has released their 2016 Vehicle Pursuit Report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) vehicle pursuit statistics for 2016 and contextualizes the current data with data going as far back as 2002. It is intended as a factual summary of the relevant statistics, and as such a tool for the public and the Board to utilize when discussing this important topic.
As an independent civilian oversight agency for the MPD, the FPC has unencumbered access to the records and databases of the department, and this access was utilized to independently research the frequency of and circumstances surrounding the department’s vehicle pursuits.
Significant findings include:
- There were 306 vehicle pursuits in 2016, the most recorded since 2002.
- Almost half of all vehicle pursuits (48%) in 2016 reached speeds in excess of 75 mph, a large increase when compared to prior years.
- There have been recent (2015 and 2016) increases in officer, subject, and 3rd party injuries during vehicle pursuits.
- The median age of known pursuit subjects has seen a significant decrease over time: the median age in 2003 was 40 while the median age in 2016 was 18.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Pursuit Policy
- MPD investigates a fatal crash - Milwaukee Police Department - Jun 2nd, 2020
- Op Ed: City Should Change Police Pursuit Policy - Jonathan Farris - May 27th, 2019
- In Defense of MPD’s Pursuit Policy - State Rep. Bob Donovan - Apr 25th, 2019
- Murphy’s Law: Are Police Pursuits Out of Control? - Bruce Murphy - Apr 25th, 2019
- City Officials Promote Police Pursuit Policy - Ximena Conde - Jun 26th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: Should Cops Do More High Speed Chases? - Bruce Murphy - May 26th, 2017
- Kansas City, KS reverses pursuit policy to address “skyrocketing crime - State Rep. Bob Donovan - May 15th, 2017
- Fire and Police Commission Releases Report on Police Vehicle Pursuits - City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission - May 10th, 2017
- Thirteen Council members demand action from MPD, FPC - State Rep. Bob Donovan - Apr 20th, 2017
- James Methu’s Statement on Public Safety in Milwaukee - James Methu - Jan 25th, 2016
Read more about Pursuit Policy here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission
