Milwaukee Fire and Police Commissioner Pushes to Limit Reckless Driving Pursuits

A victim of a police chase supports the efforts to place more restrictions on police pursuits, while a retired MPD captain has concerns.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A Milwaukee Fire and Police Commissioner is recommending two specific changes to the Milwaukee Police Department's pursuit policy - prohibiting pursuits for reckless driving that is observed after an attempted traffic stop, and requiring officers to terminate a pursuit for reckless driving if it increases danger to the public. The push comes less than a month after MPD implemented new restrictions on reckless driving chases, prohibiting officers from pursuing vehicles for high speeds alone. A victim of a police chase supports the commissioner's efforts, while a retired MPD captain has concerns about rolling back the policy.

Why it matters

The debate over police pursuit policies has been an ongoing issue, with concerns about public safety and the need to hold reckless drivers accountable. This proposal aims to strike a balance, but faces opposition from the mayor and some law enforcement officials who worry it could embolden reckless driving.

The details

FPC Vice Chairwoman Bree Spencer is recommending the two changes to MPD's pursuit policy. The first would prohibit pursuits for reckless driving that is observed after an attempted traffic stop, and the second would require officers to terminate a pursuit for reckless driving if it increases danger to the public. Mayor Cavalier Johnson opposes the proposal, saying it has the potential to increase reckless driving in the city. Retired MPD Captain Andra Williams cautioned against rolling back the policy, arguing that it's important for police to have the tools to keep the public safe.

  • In 2017, the Fire and Police Commission expanded MPD's chase policy to allow officers to pursue reckless drivers.
  • The following year, chases nearly tripled, rising from 369 in 2017 to 940 in 2018.
  • Last year, MPD data shows 9 people died in chases - 6 were innocent victims.

The players

Bree Spencer

FPC Vice Chairwoman who is recommending changes to MPD's pursuit policy.

Cavalier Johnson

Milwaukee Mayor who opposes the proposal, saying it has the potential to increase reckless driving in the city.

Andra Williams

Retired MPD Captain who served on the force before and after the 2017 policy shift, and who cautioned against rolling back the policy.

Rodney Triggs

A victim of a police chase who was hit by a fleeing driver 4 years ago while sitting in a parked car, and who supports limiting reckless driving pursuits.

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What they’re saying

“If it's not that serious of an offense, we got the plate number, we've got the make and model of the vehicle, maybe we can go to the house or see whose vehicle it belongs to as opposed to someone that's innocent getting injured.”

— Rodney Triggs (TMJ4)

“You can't start taking tools out of the toolbox and expect the police to be able to perform to the level to keep the public safe.”

— Andra Williams, Retired MPD Captain (TMJ4)

“I would hate to think that we want to go back to that where these guys can drive around, not only risking people's lives, damaging people's property and things like that with police basically handcuffed to do anything about it.”

— Andra Williams, Retired MPD Captain (TMJ4)

What’s next

The Fire and Police Commission is days away from deciding whether to recommend the changes to the Milwaukee Police Department or the Common Council.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing tension between public safety concerns and the need to hold reckless drivers accountable, with differing perspectives on how to strike the right balance through police pursuit policies.