Alderman Burgelis Urges Mayor and Milwaukee Police Association to Reach Voluntary Agreement Ahead of Arbitration

We need action now, not two months from now, and not two weeks from now. Resources are already stretched to the limit, and every day of delay makes our public safety situation more fragile.

The Milwaukee Police Department needs every available tool to recruit, train, and retain the best officers to protect and serve our neighborhoods, and we cannot afford continued uncertainty when it comes to staffing our recruit classes or keeping officers on the job.

The Milwaukee Police Association has proposed a wage increase very close to what the City has proposed. GET IT DONE! It is time for both parties to also agree to extend the labor agreement into a fourth year, covering 2026.

Adding a fourth year to the contract can put fiscal pressure for the 2026 city budget, however, the long-term benefits to the community, including full police academies and a stronger pipeline of trained officers, outweigh the short-term challenges. This is a forward-looking investment in public safety.

The Public Safety and Health Committee meeting today drew an over-capacity crowd and was marked by tension, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the staffing concerns. Noticeably absent from the hearing was Chief of Police Jeffrey Norman. Even if the Chief does not view overworked officers or recruiting shortfalls with urgency, the Common Council is hearing loud and clear from Milwaukee residents who are deeply concerned. Ensuring our officers are fairly compensated and fully staffed is one of the top public safety priorities for our city. Today’s discussion deserved the full attention of the department’s leader.

The challenges facing the department are not theoretical. Even District 6, which is already lightly staffed, is being called on to support other parts of the city. On what was described as a “slow” Tuesday, just yesterday, officers from District 6 were redirected to other police districts at least four times.

Compounding the situation, the Milwaukee Police Department advised the Committee today that even more officers will be reallocated away from neighborhood patrols to bolster staffing downtown. This shift comes in response to a recent increase in late-night weekend shootings and fatalities concentrated in the downtown area. This kind of resource shuffle leaves neighborhoods increasingly vulnerable – we need a police force that is strong enough to protect the entire city, not one that is constantly shifting coverage from one crisis to the next.

Reaching a voluntary agreement before arbitration would provide greater stability and predictability for the City of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the residents who rely on public safety services. I urge the Mayor and his negotiating team to act with urgency and meet the moment. We must finalize a fair deal that respects our officers and puts the safety of Milwaukee residents first.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.