For the Milwaukee Police Department and Fire and Police Commission
Chapter 6
Citizen Stop and Search Practices
Finding 34
Pedestrian stops by MPD lack proper oversight and accountability.
MPD should immediately modify its policy on field interviews to require that officers notify MPD dispatch that the officer has engaged in a field stop and notify dispatch when that stop has completed.
The department does recognize there are ways it can improve its data collection and measurements, and recognizes enhancements in these areas can contribute to greater levels of oversight and accountability. The department will have the opportunity to more thoroughly and routinely review and act on this information with updates to the department’s oversight and accountability protocols.
It should be noted, as indicated in the specific recommendations, that the department has very strong policies in SOP 085 (Field Interviews, Citizen Contacts, and Search and Seizure) regarding the requirements and reporting requirements for members to conduct a field interview. The department has also put into place audits as part of the CompStat process to ensure these procedures are followed and will continue to ensure that pedestrian stops are conducted lawfully and in compliance with department policy. The department also has a robust Inspections Division and can require as part of our Inspection Standards that they audit the proper completion and submission of field interview cards and consent to search forms.
Per SOP 250.40(A)(3) and 250.120(7) (Communications), members are required to notify the Technical Communications Division, use their mobile data computer (CAD) when conducting a field interview, and to notify the dispatcher with the disposition of the stop. This policy has been in place since July 30, 2014.
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I think the following 2 points should be especially emphasized:
"MPD should develop a training bulletin for all MPD officers reinforcing the requirements for a field interview, including establishing reasonable suspicion for the stop..."
"MPD officers should be required to clearly define the reasonable suspicion of the stop within the Field Interview card."
Currently too many folks get stopped for no reason and have their rights violated. And officers knowing what the requirements for field interviews are and being required to write down the reasonable suspicion, would make it a lot easier for civilians to file police misconduct complaints when officers were pulling folks over without reasonable suspicion.
Reduced fear among the elderly to go outside of their homes.
Adhere to Field Interview Protocol. This directive is needed because officers do not always treat those detained with the departmentally-required respect as specified, for example, in SOPs §§710.05, 165.00 and 117.15.
All individuals subjected to a field interview shall be issued Citizen Interaction Receipts. The receipts shall include the following information: (a) The name of the officer or squad who stopped the person or persons; (b) The name of the person or persons who were stopped; (c) The time the interaction occurred; (d) A brief description as to why the stop was made; If a pat down search was done, (e) why it was done, (f) when it was done and (g) who conducted it.
Why would the MPD stop persons walking down the street who are not suspected of doing anything wrong? There should be a legitimate reason for any stops. I would also like to know why some of the body cameras and car cameras turn on automatically and provide clear images while other cameras are of lower quality and do not serve public safety in the same way.