Filing with the FPC
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (FPC) is the civilian oversight agency for the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD), Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), and Department of Emergency Communications (DEC). The FPC and has full authority to independently investigate complaints and discipline employees for misconduct. The FPC accepts all complaints and works to provide all complainants with the necessary means to file a complaint. If you feel (or felt) as if you were discouraged from filing your complaint at any point in the complaint intake process, please contact our Compliance Auditor at [email protected] or (414) 286-5141.
Once a complaint is filed, an investigator from the FPC will contact the complainant, discuss the complaint, and gather more detail if necessary. The majority of the FPC's complaint investigations are concluded within 2 months of receipt, but the timeline for a resolution may vary according to the allegations.
For more information, or to file a complaint by phone, call (414) 286-5000 to speak with an investigator. The FPC employs a full-time, bilingual investigator who can assist Spanish-speaking community members.
Filing Directly with the MPD / DEC
Complaints may also be filed directly with the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) or the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC). Please note that complaints filed directly with a department will be investigated and resolved by the receiving department, not the FPC.
File a Complaint with the MPD | File a Complaint with the DEC
If a complainant is unsatisfied with the MPD's or DEC's findings concerning a complaint, they may contact the FPC and request that the FPC review the investigation completed by the MPD or DEC. The FPC's Executive Director will review the investigation and determine if it was thorough, complete, and appropriate under the circumstances.
The FPC's Complaint Intake & Investigation Process
The process shown here is a generalized overview of the complaint intake investigation process and may not display all scenarios, processes, or outcomes. (Board Rules Sec. XV)
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Complaint
Investigator reviews complaint criteria and cause; enters into AIM system to begin investigation -
Processing & Review
Investigator reviews complaint criteria and cause; enters into AIM system to begin investigation -
Investigation Approved, Begins
Investigator confirms complaint criteria and cause; begins investigation -
Findings Sent to Executive Director
Investigation findings summarized that include recommendations / dispositions; findings sent to Executive Director -
Executive Director Review, Determination
Executive Director reviews investigation summary report; determines appropriate actions
The FPC Executive Director Determination / Actions
When the FPC receives a complaint, it is reviewed and investigated fully and fairly. After the investigation is completed, the findings are summarized and sent to the Executive Director. Once this occurs, the Executive Director — within ten (10) days after receiving the results of the investigation — reviews the findings and determines what actions are needed in order to resolve the complaint. This process is called referral.
Below are the referral categories the Executive Director shall use to resolve the complaint (details)
- Refer to trial
- Refer for action*
- Refer for mediation
- Refer for policy training
- Dismissal of complaint
*Referring the complaint for action means utilizing the procedures of Rapid Resolution Complaint Inquiry (RRCI), Dual Complaint Inquiry (DCI), or Review of Completed Investigation (RCI). The Executive Director may also take other actions consistent with law and policy to carry out the intent of state law, city ordinances, and policies relating to the mission of the FPC.
Citizen Complaint Form PDFs
These forms are available in branches of the Milwaukee Public Library and at MPD District Stations. Complaint forms are also available in person at our office in City Hall. Completed and signed forms may either be emailed to [email protected] or delivered by mail or by hand to:
Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission
City Hall Room 705
200 E Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
For more information, or to file a complaint by phone, call (414) 286-5000 to speak with an investigator.