Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission Opposes Use of Facial Recognition Technology by Police Department

Milwaukee, WI — On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission (ERC) unanimously passed a resolution formally opposing the implementation or use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD).

The Commission—charged with protecting the civil rights of all Milwaukee residents, workers, and visitors under Chapter 109 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances—took this position following extensive research, public testimony, and analysis conducted over the past several months.

“Facial recognition technology presents profound risks to civil rights, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), transgender individuals, and other historically marginalized communities,” said Tony Snell Rodriguez, Chair of the Equal Rights Commission. “Even with policy guardrails, the potential for harm, bias, and misuse remains unacceptably high.”

The ERC’s resolution cites research from the City’s Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), which indicates a lack of proven positive outcomes in peer cities and highlights disproportionate error rates in FRT systems when used on individuals in protected classes. Community members who provided public testimony echoed these concerns, warning of potential misuse and the erosion of public trust in law enforcement.

The full resolution and supporting documentation are available on the City of Milwaukee’s Legistar portal: City of Milwaukee – File #: 250457

The Commission is urging MPD to reject the adoption or deployment of FRT and encourages continued collaboration toward public safety practices that prioritize equity, transparency, and community trust.

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.