The Milwaukee Police Department will discuss a potential new policy governing facial recognition technology at the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission meeting on Thursday, Feb. 5 at City Hall.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman has the authority to issue department policy, a power granted through Wisconsin’s Act 12. But the Milwaukee Common Council can modify or reject that policy with a two-thirds vote, or 10 of the 15 members.
In May, 11 council members signed a letter urging Norman to reject the expanded use of facial recognition, citing the risk of misidentification – particularly for people of color and women – and the potential harm to the public’s trust of police, among other concerns.
Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic, who circulated the letter among council members, said she believes opposition among the council may have grown since the letter was sent.
MPD and others weigh in
MPD said facial recognition has helped generate leads in serious crimes, including homicides, and the department would implement it carefully, using it as one tool among many others.
Dimitrijevic said that good policy may not be enough, especially considering the atmosphere surrounding immigration enforcement.
“I just don’t feel comfortable having that large amount of information out there right now,” she said.
Advocacy groups, including the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, have expressed similar concerns.
“At every turn, the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County has stood in opposition to law enforcement’s use of facial recognition technology in this city and county,” said Emily Sterk, the organization’s mass incarceration advocacy program leader.
“Evidence-based research has proven that technology is a product of humans’ own biases and racism,” Sterk said.
An MPD spokesperson said the department is aware of the many concerns of residents and that public safety is its number one priority.
“While we would like to acquire the technology to assist in solving cases, being transparent with the community that we serve far outweighs the urgency to acquire,” the spokesperson said. “MPD remains committed to working with our community to build sustainable healthy neighborhoods free of crime and maintained by positive relationships.”
How to participate
The Fire and Police Commission meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at City Hall, Room 301-B, 200 E. Wells Sy.
The meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s website.
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