Updated Milwaukee Police Foot Pursuit Policy Emphasizes Safety, Supervision and Tactical Restraint
What to Know
- The policy requires officers to have reasonable suspicion before initiating a foot pursuit, with flight alone not justifying the chase.
- Officers must continuously reassess risks and terminate pursuits immediately if directed by a supervisor or if high-risk conditions arise.
- Alternative tactics such as perimeter containment, canine units, and aerial support are encouraged over direct pursuit to enhance safety.
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Police Department has implemented a new foot pursuit policy aimed at reducing risk to officers and the public while maintaining effective suspect apprehension. General Order 2026-16, effective April 16, establishes clear operational guidelines governing when officers may initiate, continue, or terminate foot pursuits.
According to the department, foot pursuits are “inherently dangerous,” requiring officers to balance enforcement objectives with safety considerations. The policy authorizes officers to engage in a pursuit only when there is articulable reasonable suspicion that a suspect has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime. It explicitly states that flight alone does not justify a pursuit.
The directive places officer and public safety as the overriding factor in all pursuit decisions. Officers are required to continuously reassess risk throughout the incident and must immediately terminate a pursuit if directed by a supervisor. The policy also prohibits officers from provoking individuals to flee in order to justify a stop or pursuit.
Operational guidance within the policy encourages officers to consider alternatives to foot pursuits, including perimeter containment, use of canine units, aerial support, and delayed apprehension when a suspect’s identity is known. These tactics are framed as safer and often more effective methods of managing fleeing suspects.
The policy outlines specific high-risk scenarios where officers are discouraged from initiating or continuing a pursuit. These include situations where officers are alone, lose communication, become separated from partners, or encounter environmental hazards such as confined spaces or dense terrain. The presence of bystanders, traffic, or uncertain suspect location are also cited as factors requiring reassessment.
Tactically, the department advises officers to avoid following directly behind suspects, particularly when weapons may be involved, and to maintain reactionary distance. Officers are generally discouraged from running with firearms drawn due to the increased risk of accidental discharge. The policy highlights concepts such as “partner splitting,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining team integrity during pursuits.
Communication requirements are central to the directive. Officers initiating a foot pursuit must broadcast key details within seconds, including location, direction of travel, suspect description, and whether the suspect is believed to be armed. If an officer cannot effectively communicate, the policy directs them to terminate the pursuit and shift to containment strategies.
Supervisors are tasked with maintaining command and control, even if not physically present. They are required to evaluate whether pursuits meet legal and policy standards and must terminate incidents that pose excessive risk or lack lawful justification. Following a pursuit, supervisors must conduct a review that includes body-worn camera footage, reports, and a tactical debrief to identify training or performance improvements.
The policy also reinforces use-of-force standards, stating that force must not be used to punish a suspect for fleeing or resisting arrest. Officers are discouraged from high-risk physical tactics, such as tackling from behind, and are encouraged to use controlled techniques and verbal commands when taking suspects into custody.
Documentation requirements mandate detailed reporting of each pursuit, including the legal justification, distance, involved personnel, any use of force, injuries, and property damage. Officers are specifically instructed to avoid vague or boilerplate language when articulating reasonable suspicion.
The policy was reviewed and approved by Assistant Chief Craig Sarnow on March 2, 2026, and issued under the authority of Chief Jeffrey B. Norman. It reflects a broader trend in law enforcement toward formalizing foot pursuit protocols to enhance officer safety, accountability, and operational consistency.