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Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee police chase policy changes take effect Feb. 6; what to know
MPD changes high-speed chase policy
Milwaukee police will tighten pursuit rules come Feb. 6 after nine people died in chase-related crashes in 2025, though some families and officials doubt the changes will save lives.
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.
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However, some community members and officials question whether the changes will prevent future tragedies.
Local perspective:
It was June 8, 2024, when Tiffany Stark said her daughter’s father, Anthony Higgins, was critically injured after a vehicle fleeing police slammed into him. Higgins later died from his injuries.
“I think about all the people that died, but we also needed to think about the people that have survived,” said Tiffany Stark.
Stark said Higgins lived for 16 months with severe injuries before his death.
“His last 16 months of life was no life. It was no quality of life so I think,” said Stark. “A spinal cord injury paralyzed him from the neck out.”
Higgins’ death was one of several fatalities linked to police chases in 2025, a key reason MPD said it is revising its pursuit policy.
“My captains have talked to the community, I’ve talked to the community,” said MPD Chief Norman.
Big picture view:
MPD presented the policy change last week during a Fire and Police Commission meeting. Norman said officers must weigh the risk a pursuit poses to the public.
“I do understand the responsibility of what a 4,000 pound vehicle is to our community,” said Norman.
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The proposal drew pushback from some commissioners, who questioned whether the policy would have altered outcomes in past cases.
“When I was reading the policy I was saying to myself – would any of the fatalities of this year not happened under this policy? And I don’t think the answer is yes,” said Commissioner Bree Spencer.
MPD data shows that in addition to the fatal crashes, 233 of 970 police pursuits in 2025 ended in crashes.
As for the new policy, Stark said she remains unconvinced it will save lives.
“I don’t feel the changes are gonna save any lives,” said Stark.
The Source: FOX6 News obtained Milwaukee Police Department data and utilized prior coverage.
PLOVER, Wis. (WBAY) – Police in the western part of the state are spreading the word after someone stole over $95,000 worth of Milwaukee-brand tools. Police are concerned that they’ll be sold online or sold outside the state.
Milwaukee-brand tools were stolen from a trailer at a solar farm in Plover.
Police say there were 130 items, including more than 40 half-inch impact guns, multiple wire cutters, grease guns, 80 batteries, and a couple of small generators.
Investigators are warning that buyers who purchase stolen items can have them seized and could lose their money or even face criminal charges if they knew the property was stolen.
Copyright 2026 WBAY. All rights reserved.
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MILWAUKEE – UPDATE: Milwaukee police said Ciara Crump, reported critically missing on Wednesday, has been found safe. The original missing person notice is available below.
The Milwaukee Police Department needs help to find 29-year-old Ciara Crump, a critically missing woman who was last seen near 80th and Marion just after 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 17.
What they’re saying:
Police described Crump as 5 feet, 2 inches tall and 180 pounds with brown eyes and long brown hair. She was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants while carrying a black bag.
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What you can do:
Anyone with information on Crump’s whereabouts is asked to call Milwaukee Police District 7 at 414-935-7272.
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