Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedures: Uniforms, Conduct, and Crisis Protocols

340.00 PURPOSE, POLICY, AND UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

Uniforms, equipment, and appearance regulations are prescribed to ensure all department members present a professional image. Supervisors must regularly monitor subordinates for conformity and take prompt action to correct deficiencies.

• Wearing of Uniforms: Police members and aides must be in proper uniform while on duty. Garments for cold or inclement weather (knit caps, turtlenecks) must not be mixed with warm weather garments (short sleeves, windbreakers).
• Uniform Schedule:
  • Summer Uniform: April $1$ to October $31$. Members may wear long or short sleeve shirts.
  • Winter Uniform: November $1$ to March $31$. Generally, only the long sleeve shirt is permitted.
  • Exceptions: Lieutenants, sergeants, officers, and aides assigned to non-patrol duties or district stations may wear short sleeves regardless of the season. Uniformed supervisors may wear the black zip-up cardigan sweater indoors in any season.
• Cleanliness and Authorization: Uniforms and accessories must be clean, serviceable, and professional. Unauthorized badges, buttons, insignia, or patches are prohibited.
• Jurisdiction: Uniforms shall not be worn outside the city unless performing police duty, attending funerals/memorial services for law enforcement, or with permission from the Chief of Police.
• Public Demonstrations: Members are strictly prohibited from wearing the uniform or identifying insignia while participating in public demonstrations.

340.10 POLICE MEMBERS NOT REQUIRED TO WEAR A UNIFORM

• Professional Business Attire: Members not required to wear a uniform (e.g., detectives) must wear professional business attire, such as suits, jackets, trousers, or dresses. Lieutenants and sergeants in investigations divisions may choose between uniforms or business attire.
• Court Appearance: Professional business attire is mandatory for court.
• Mock Turtlenecks: These may be worn in lieu of a shirt and tie, except for court or formal events.
• Command Staff: Captains and above must wear attire appropriate for their command; district, division, and field commanders must wear uniforms (except the HIDTA commanding officer).

340.15 UNIFORM REGULATIONS: RANK INSIGNIA AND ALLOWANCES

Rank insignia must be worn on the epaulets of outermost garments, excluding rainwear. Insignia is never worn on collars.

• Insignia Styles:
  • Black soft shoulder boards with embroidered insignia: Worn only on white shirts and sweaters.
  • Embroidered cloth or metal insignia: Worn on navy blue shirts and jackets.
• Rank Designations:
  • Chief of Police: $4$ gold five-pointed stars.
  • Assistant Chief: $3$ gold five-pointed stars.
  • Inspector: $2$ gold five-pointed stars.
  • Deputy Inspector: $1$ gold five-pointed star.
  • Captain: Gold double-bar.
  • Lieutenant: Gold single-bar.
• Initial Uniform Allowances: Highly specific lists of items are provided upon promotion or hire, ranging from gold five-pointed stars ($5$ pair) for high-ranking staff to silver embroidered name tapes for new officers. Lieutenants receive items like a dress blouse, a command officer overcoat, and a gold buckle for the Sam Browne belt.

340.15 (C-D) SHIRT REGULATIONS AND DRESS UNIFORM CLASSES

• Deputy Inspector and Above: Must wear navy blue shirts for field/office duties. The white shirt is reserved for Class A dress uniforms, public meetings, or at the direction of command staff.
• Lieutenants and Captains: Must wear navy blue shirts for daily duties and white shirts for Class A dress occasions.
• Uniform Classifications:
  • Class A (Formal Events): Includes command officer overcoat, dress trousers, dress blouse with metal badge and metal rank insignia, white long sleeve shirt with tie, and military round cap with shield. The Sam Browne belt is forbidden; handguns must be worn in a way that does not disrupt blouse lines.
  • Class B (Sergeants/Officers for Formal Events): Includes uniform trousers, blue long sleeve shirt with tie, military round cap with shield, metal badge, and Sam Browne belt. Only merit awards and district lapel pins are allowed as pins.
  • Class C (Normal Duties): Professional standard for daily operations, including navy blue shirts and military round caps.

340.15 (E-L) SPECIALIZED UNIT UNIFORMS

• Police Sergeants: Insignia consists of $3$ light blue chevrons with white piping. Sweaters require black soft shoulder boards with embroidered chevrons.
• Motorcycle Duty: Requires leather motorcycle jacket, breeches, boots, and mandatory department-issued crash helmet.
• Bicycle Patrol: Features bicycle glasses, gloves, black athletic shoes, and mandatory helmet. Uniform shorts with black ankle socks are permitted while on bicycle duty.
• Marine Operations: During boating season (April $1$ to November $1$), members wear shirts with embroidered badges and unit insignia on the collar.
• Foot Patrol: Authorized to wear personal-purchase uniform shorts approved by the quartermaster.
• Honor Guard: Uniforms and insignia are prescribed by the Chief; white gloves are worn when ordered for important assemblies.

340.20 ACCESSORIES AND PERSONAL PURCHASE ITEMS

Members must display a nameplate or embroidered nametape on the outermost garment.

• Nameplates: Silver for officers; brass/gold for sergeants and above.
• Undershirts: White crew-neck or V-neck for blue/white shirts; navy blue, black, or white V-neck for navy shirts. Ribbed t-shirts are permitted under body armor.
• Neckties: Solid black four-in-hand slipknot with clip-on fastener for safety. No tie with short sleeves.
• Caps:
  • Police Officers: Silver strap, two silver Wisconsin state seal buttons, two rows of royal blue braid.
  • Sergeants: Gold strap, two gold buttons, two rows of royal blue braid.
  • Lieutenants/Captains: Gold strap and buttons, two rows of gold braid.
  • Deputy Inspector and Above: Gold strap and buttons, two rows of gold braid, and visor embroidered with arcs of oak leaf groups.
• Footwear: Solid black leather or artificial leather with round toe. No visible logos. Over-the-calf black socks are required.
• Optional Items: Members may purchase items like knit caps, baseball caps, outer vest carriers, windbreaker jackets, and longevity service stripes ($5$ years per stripe).
• Tattoo Covering: Unapproved tattoos must be covered by makeup, dark blue/black athletic bands, or long sleeves.

340.25 BADGES AND MOURNING STANDARDS

Uniformed members must wear the regulation metal badge on their outermost garment over the left breast.

• Off-Duty Display: If displayed off-duty, members must be in professional or business casual attire. Business casual includes button-down shirts, sweaters without images, dress slacks, and dark jeans.
• Cloth Badges: Gold for lieutenants and above; silver for sergeants and officers. Worn on sweaters and jackets.
• Mourning Bands: Black bands are permitted on metal badges for line-of-duty deaths in Milwaukee County (from death until burial) or when the Governor orders flags lowered. Off-duty deaths of department members are marked by a small black mourning ribbon ($1$ inch or less) on the left pocket flap.
• Retiree Badges: Retired members in good standing (with $25$ years of service or aged $57$ with less) may request their badge be encased in Lucite for a fee.

340.30 - 340.35 APPEARANCE STANDARDS

• Hair: Must be well-groomed and not extend past the bottom edge of the collar ($4$ inches maximum if in braids or a single ponytail). Restraints must match hair color or be black/dark blue/brown. Dyed hair must look natural.
• Sideburns: Straight, even width, not extending below the middle of the ear.
• Beards and Goatees: Neatly trimmed, not to exceed $1/4$ inch in length. Mustaches must not extend beyond the upper lip line.
• Jewelry: No facial or ear jewelry for uniformed members. Only one ring per hand and a single non-visible necklace are permitted. Visible body piercings are prohibited and cannot be covered with bandages.
• Civilian Personnel/Limited Duty: Must dress professionally. Prohibited items include denim, T-shirts as outermost garments, skorts, athletic attire (unless black shoes), and clothes revealing excessive skin.

340.40 TATTOO POLICY

Markings must not be profane, demeaning, or indicate bias.

• Professional Appearance Committee: Reviews visible tattoos via form PT-17E. Committee consists of $2$ officers/detectives, $2$ sergeants/lieutenants/captains, and $1$ executive command member.
• Prohibited Markings:
  • Location: Head, face, neck (above collarbone), or hands (below wrist bone).
  • Content: Racist, indecent, extremist, or sexually explicit imagery. Symbols like swastikas, street gang numbers, or graphic nudity are strictly banned.
• Pre-existing Tattoos: Members hired before July $18$, $2014$, with face/neck/hand tattoos may request a waiver but must cover subsequent tattoos.

340.50 DEPARTMENT AND PERSONAL DUTY EQUIPMENT

• General Kit: Includes identification, expandable baton, radio, call box key (pre-$2006$ hires), whistle, handcuffs, chemical agent, memorandum book, pen with black ink, and tourniquet.
• Sam Browne Belt Accessories: Only authorized items (belt keepers, flashlight holder, key holder, utility tool with blades under $4$ inches) are allowed.
• High-Visibility Garments: ANSI compliant reflective gear is mandatory for directing traffic, roadway investigations, or disasters.
• Bags and Briefcases: Must lack inappropriate logos or advertising. Officers on foot patrol are prohibited from carrying bags. The department reserves the right to inspect bags in the presence of the member.
• Cell Phones: Privately owned phones must be inaudible/vibrating. Bluetooth devices are prohibited in public view while on duty.

340.50 (J-K) FIREARMS AND WEAPONS

• Authorized On-Duty Handguns: Sig Sauer P320 and P365 ($9\text{mm}$), Glock G45, $19$, and G43X. Ammunition is Speer LE Gold-Dot Duty ($9\text{mm}$ Luger+P $124$ grain).
• Specialized Weapons:
  • Shotguns: Remington $870$, Benelli M-$4$.
  • Rifles: Smith and Wesson M&P $15$ semi-automatic ($.223$), Bravo Company M-$4$, Colt M-$4$.
• Off-Duty Carry: Members may carry department-issued or personally owned handguns in approved holsters. They must carry their ID and metal badge. Weapon details must be filed with the range master.
• Court Prohibition: Members appearing as litigants in personal matters (divorce, small claims) or summoned for jury duty must be unarmed.

440 – EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM (EIP)

EIP is a self-monitoring, non-disciplinary tool to track performance and identify deficiencies.

• Performance Indicators: Personnel investigations (sustained/not sustained), squad accidents, use of force incidents, vehicle pursuits, sick leave usage, and unsupported traffic stops/searches.
• Benchmarks for Intervention:
  • $3$ or more personnel investigations or PD-$30$s within $90$ days.
  • $1$ battery, alcohol, or sexual assault related investigation.
  • $2$ or more squad accidents within $90$ days.
  • $3$ or more use of force incidents within $90$ days.
  • $3$ or more pursuits within $45$ days.
  • $3$ or more sick leave uses within $90$ days.
• Critical Incidents: Defined as events resulting in great bodily harm or death caused by a member.
• Intervention Process: Automated notifications alert the administrator. Supervisors must schedule an intervention meeting within $72$ hours of discovery. Options include policy review, counseling, or EAP referrals.

450 – PERSONNEL INVESTIGATIONS

• Complaint Types:
  • Citizen Complaint: Written on form PI-$31$.
  • Internally Generated: Reported by a department member on form PM-$9\text{E}$.
• Supervisory Referrals: Required if an officer engages in $4$ or more unsupported stops/searches/frisks within a $3$ year period.
• Standard for Investigation: Investigators must not ask hostile questions or apply moral judgments. Testimony by officers should not automatically outweigh that of complainants.
• Mediation: A voluntary process to resolve minor complaints through a trained impartial third party. Successful completion closes the case with no further discipline.
• Stipulation: Members may stipulate to non-criminal allegations on form PM-$9\text{E}$ in lieu of a full investigation if evidence is preponderant.

450.40 PERSONNEL INVESTIGATION PHASES

• Complainant Contact: Investigating supervisors must contact named citizens within $3$ business days. Periodic updates must be provided every $45$ days.
• Interviewing (PI-21): Accused members must be informed if an interview could lead to discipline. They must be told: "This is a personnel investigation. The answers you give and the fruits thereof cannot be used against you in any criminal proceeding."
• Recording: Oral statements are recorded using digital audio and transferred to two compact discs (one for the member, one for the file).
• Dispositions:
  • Sustained: Evidence proves the allegation.
  • Not Sustained: Insufficient evidence to prove or disprove.
  • Exonerated: Incident occurred but actions were lawful.
  • Unfounded: Allegation is false.
• Timetable: Investigations not involving crimes or critical incidents must be completed within $90$ calendar days.

453 – OFFICER-INVOLVED DEATHS AND CRITICAL INCIDENTS

Investigations must be thorough and impartial, complying with Wis. Stat. \S $175.47$.

• Officer-Involved Death: A death resulting from an action or omission of an officer on duty, or off duty within the scope of law enforcement duties.
• Outside Agency Requirement: At least $2$ investigators from an outside agency must lead the investigation. If traffic-related, an outside crash reconstruction unit is required.
• Public Safety Statement: Respnding supervisors obtain this statement (form PP-$13$) to identify the scene scope, evidence, and suspects.
• Duty Status: Involved officers are relieving of duties and accompanied by a non-involved supervisor until the outside lead agency takes over. Weapons are generally holstered until they can be replaced.
• Psychological Debrief: Primary and secondary members involved must attend a confidential debrief with the department psychologist within $72$ hours, with follow-ups at $30-45$ days and $6$ months.

460 – USE OF FORCE

• Policy: Preservation of human life and dignity is paramount. Force must be objectively reasonable based on the severity of the crime, the threat posed, and active resistance.
• De-escalation: Tactics include isolating the subject, using barriers, verbal persuasion, and calling additional resources like CART.
• Prohibited Tactics: Chokeholds, strangleholds, and lateral vascular neck restraints are strictly banned.
• Duty to Intervene: Officers must intervene if they observe excessive force by another member and report it to a supervisor.
• Reporting (PF Report): Required for discharging a firearm, pointing a firearm, baton strikes, chemical agents (OC/CS), canine bites, or bodily force involving focused strikes and decentralizations. Aim numbers must be obtained before the end of the shift.

465 – HAND-HELD CHEMICAL AGENTS (CS AND OC)

• Types: (CS) Orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile and (OC) Oleoresin Capsicum as control alternatives.
• Training and Weight Requirements: Training occurs biennially. Canisters have specific "replace" weights:
  • MK-$3$ (Small): Full weight $73\,g$; Replace at $50\,g$.
  • MK-$4$ (Large): Full weight $123\,g$; Replace at $85\,g$.
• Deployment: Used in short bursts at a minimum distance of $4$ feet when possible.
• After-Care: Subjects must be given an opportunity to wash with cool water. Effects normally wear off in $30-45$ minutes.

466 – PATROL RIFLE SYSTEM

• Standard Issue: Smith & Wesson M&P $15$ and Bravo Company BCM$4$ ($.223$ caliber). Sighting systems (Aimpoint PRO and iron sights) are zeroed for $50$ yards.
• Storage: Squad-ready status means an empty chamber with a loaded magazine insert. Rifles must be secured in vehicle racks or cases in the trunk.
• Deployment: Members must notify dispatch at the start of the shift if they are patrol rifle equipped. Safety must remain on until the decision to use deadly force is made.
• Maintenance: Only Training Division Firearms Unit personnel may repair or modify the rifles.

390 – LICENSED PERSONS / PREMISES INVESTIGATIONS

• Investigative Responsibility: The Licensing Unit processes applications for taverns, bartending, taxi cabs, and pool halls.
• Licensed Premise Reports: Filed in RMS for all violations, arrests, or verbal warnings related to a licensed business. Reports must be completed within $48$ hours.
• Documentation: Must include the business cooperation level and availability of video surveillance (with time stamps for significant events).
• District Role: District commanders regularly check establishments and may require agents or licensees to attend problem-solving meetings yearly.