The Brief
- Milwaukee police will limit pursuits beginning Feb. 6, requiring more than speed alone to justify a chase.
- Six pursuit-related crashes killed nine people in Milwaukee in 2025, according to MPD data.
- Some families and officials question whether the policy changes will prevent future deaths.
MILWAUKEE – Changes to the Milwaukee Police Department’s pursuit policy will take effect Feb. 6, tightening the circumstances under which officers may chase reckless drivers.
What we know:
Under the updated policy, speed alone can no longer be the sole reason for a pursuit. Officers must identify at least one additional factor, such as a collision with another vehicle, forcing other drivers to take evasive action to avoid a crash, or failing to slow or stop at a controlled intersection.
The policy change follows a deadly year for police chases in Milwaukee. Six pursuit-related crashes resulted in the deaths of nine people in 2025, according to department data. …