Recommendation 35.3

MPD should begin collecting data on "curbing" as part of its traffic and pedestrian stop data collection.

Current:

The department does not recognize the term “curbing,” as the department is unaware of the origin of the term itself as it is not trained to department members and has not been brought to the attention of the department by the community. Members are not trained, nor does the policy allow members to remove persons from a motor vehicle without reasonable articulable suspicion. If department members do have reasonable suspicion to remove a person from a motor vehicle, they may have the person sit on the curb as it lessens the risk of flight by the individual if probable cause is established and helps reduce the risk of using force to effect in an arrest if the individual is going to be arrested.

The department clearly articulates in SOP 085.30 the requirements for a vehicle contact (traffic stop) that are in line with the State of Wisconsin’s Vehicle Contacts requirements and training. The State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board also requires all recruit officers to successfully complete 24 hours of instruction on vehicle contacts. Recruit officers must successfully demonstrate proper approach and contact procedures in order to pass this course of instruction. In addition, recruit officers must successfully pass a 16 hour course of instruction in constitutional law and part of this course requires recruit officers to identify limits on subject identification, stop duration and officer control of subject movement.