Council Adopts File Compelling Officers to Intervene and Report Unreasonable Uses of Force
On Tuesday (June 23) the full Common Council approved legislation that modifies Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedures regarding the duty for officers to intervene and report unreasonable uses of force.
The file – #251799 – was adopted unanimously by the members present at yesterday’s meeting.
Specifically, the legislation modifies Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) 460 – Use of Force. The existing SOP assigns a duty to intervene in situations where a department member personally observes another officer using force that is noncompliant with State law or which is beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances. The move notably clarifies that the term “another officer” as used in section 460.30 of SOP 460 includes “law enforcement officer” and “federal law enforcement officer” as defined under state law.
Alderman Alex Brower, the author of the file (one piece of the Council’s ICE-OUT legislative package), said he is thankful for the overwhelming support of his Council colleagues on the measure, noting they have shown their desire to protect the rights of all Milwaukee citizens. “We must join together to support our immigrant communities and those who wish to exercise their constitutional rights across Milwaukee,” he said.
“Sadly, across the nation there are credible reports that federal law enforcement members are physically assaulting members of the public while they are exercising their constitutionally protected rights to speak and assemble, without probable cause that the victims were engaged in any illegal activity,” Alderman Brower said. “A 2025 report from the State Democracy Research Initiative of the University of Wisconsin Law School highlights that, while Supremacy Clause immunity sometimes protects federal actors from state prosecution, it does not extend to conduct that federal law does not authorize or that is not necessary or proper to fulfilling lawful federal duties.”
“This action by the Council now provides the leeway that MPD officers need to intervene in cases where they are witnessing excessive force being used by any officer, including federal law enforcement,” the Alderman said. “This is a huge win for our citizens and for the City of Milwaukee as a whole.”
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.
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