MPD reports 970 pursuits in 2025; proposes narrower criteria for reckless-driving chases

The Milwaukee Police Department told the Fire and Police Commission on Jan. 22 that it recorded 970 vehicle pursuits in 2025 and that it plans changes to its vehicle-pursuit policy, SOP 660, intended to limit when officers may initiate chases.

Assistant Chief Craig Sarno said MPD ended 2025 with 970 pursuits, a 1% increase from 2024: "We wound up ending the year at, with 9 70 vehicle pursuits up 1% from, 2024," he told commissioners. Sarno said roughly 76% of those pursuits were for reckless driving and about 19% for violent or felony offenses. MPD reported 316 pursuit-related crashes in 2025, 156 incidents with injuries, and nine pursuit-related fatalities.

To reduce risks, MPD said it plans to procure mitigation technologies including StarChase GPS trackers and the Haas Alert Safety Cloud and to continue using tire-deflation devices; Sarno reported 111 deployments of stop-sticks last year. The department proposed a change to SOP 660 that bars initiating a pursuit for reckless driving based on speed alone: officers must also see one of three additional conditions — a collision with another vehicle, forcing another vehicle to take evasive action, or failing to stop at a controlled intersection without slowing.

Several commissioners and members of the public said the proposed changes do not go far enough. Commissioner Spencer and others referenced the NYU Policing Project and Minneapolis model policies, which recommend allowing pursuits only for violent felonies except in narrow, documented exceptions. "I think this iteration of the policy ... is still very off balance," one commissioner said during debate, urging the FPC to use its new formal recommendation process to press for more restrictive language.

MPD said the changes will have a training and implementation period; the department indicated the SOP revision is scheduled to take effect Feb. 1 (30-day effective date after public notice). Commissioners encouraged continued public engagement on pursuit limits, mitigation technology use, and whether nonpolice responses and traffic-safety investments could reduce the need for pursuits.

The meeting produced no immediate change to the SOP; commissioners signaled they will consider a formal recommendation to the Common Council under the new FPC process. MPD said it will provide further information about procurement, training and performance metrics as implementations proceed.