The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission took up changes to the police department's pursuit policy at Thursday night's meeting.
The changes come amid several recent chases that have made news. Department officials say the changes made and approved by the commission tonight are mostly to put the department in line with state statutes.
The agenda item was met with public comment from Milwaukee residents hoping to see changes to the policy, which was most recently changed in 2017.
"I am imploring you to really put a pause, push pause on this pursuit policy," said Celia Jackson. She and others cited the recent chases that ended in crashes, injury and death.
Commissioner Steven DeVougas said "when we changed the policy back the driving force was to provide the department to make the decisions and not so much micromanage and leave it to their discretion."
Commissioner Ann Wilson said "my struggle has always been where's the happy medium? Because you really are darned if you do, darned if you don't."
The commission approved the change but also plans to have listening sessions with the community in the months to come.
