Chapter 7
Systems for Supervision, Accountability, Organizational Learning, Remediation, and Discipline
Finding 41
MPD Standard Operating Procedure 450 regarding complaint investigations is inadequate, as it does not have required time frames for completion of external and internal investigations.
MPD should establish an appropriate time frame for community complaint investigations to be completed and hold investigators and supervisors accountable for that time frame.
Internal Affairs has an internal written guideline regarding completion timelines of internal investigations. However, these guidelines are only codified in a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding AIM reports such as use of force, squad reports and squad accidents. The Internal Affairs Division provides weekly updates and follow-up with commanding officers if an investigation is not completed within the department timeframe guidelines. Work locations commanders have 45 days to assign and complete internal investigations. When an investigation is overdue, Internal Affairs sends a memorandum to the commanding officer requiring a written explanation and an anticipated date of completion. This correspondence between IAD and commanding officers is forwarded to the commanding officer’s assistant chief.
MPD agrees that an official policy should be written documenting the completion guidelines in place for internal investigations.
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Centralized Time-Limited Receipt-Bearing Complaints. All complaints involving the Milwaukee Police Department should be made and recorded only at the Fire and Police Commission. Each complainant shall be issued a receipt specifying the time and date that the complaint was made. Complaints shall be resolved by no later than sixty (60) days after being made unless there are extenuating circumstances