Alderman Donovan asks for change in MPD vehicle pursuit policy
Current ‘no chase’ policy is emboldening criminals, Alderman Donovan says
Alderman Bob Donovan has sent a letter (attached) to Chief Edward Flynn asking that the chief rescind the Milwaukee Police Department’s current policy on vehicle pursuits.
The alderman said the current policy, put in place by Chief Flynn in 2010, is having a negative effect on public safety across the city. Mayor Tom Barrett, MPD Chief of Staff Joel Plant, and members of the Fire and Police Commission were copied on the letter.
Alderman Donovan said police sources have indicated to him that in the first three months of 2015 alone, approximately 750 instances where vehicles would have been pursued under the former pursuit policy have occurred. “These criminals are literally thumbing their noses and flipping off officers as they drive off, knowing that officers will not pursue them,” the alderman said.
In the letter, Alderman Donovan writes: “Incidents of vehicle theft have risen alarmingly on the near south side in recent months and police officers inform me that this is due in large part to thieves knowing that they will not be pursued. Frankly, this outcome was as predictable as it is logical and I said so publicly at the time this directive was issued. Further, I need not remind you of the deaths, injuries, and accidents that have resulted from this rise in vehicle thefts.”
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.
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 State Rep. Bob Donovan
I thought this policy was to decrease crashes involved with chases and that incidents of property and cycling gettiung hurt has dramatically decreased.
This policy was implemented because in a two-month period 4 innocent people were killed by drivers fleeing police.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/police-chief-credits-new-policy-for-drop-in-high-speed-chases-b9992566z1-222824431.html
It’s time to change this policy, these young thugs know if they hit the gas they’re home free
Yes let’s get back to police chases so more innocent people die. Very smart Paul. You should run for police chief or alderman.
PMD, what was that older couple that was killed a few weeks ago guilty of, they were killed by a repeat criminal that had stolen cars before and wasn’t being chased when the crash happened. It’s time to lock up these criminals before they kill someone.
It’s a balancing act. If the police chase, there is a risk to innocent people (as well as the pursuing officers and the suspect) that happen to be on the street. If the police do not chase, there is also the possibility that the suspect is a violent offender and may commit another violent act in the future. Many jurisdictions have decided that the risk of the former is great enough that they have adopted similar policies – only chasing when suspects are KNOWN violent offenders.
Eric, I believe it should be up to the discretion of the officer. Car theft should be a felony with mandatory jail time. You’ll never know if it’s a violent offender behind the wheel unless you stop them.