About the Fire and Police Commission

The Fire and Police Commission is a civilian body which oversees general policy in the Milwaukee Fire Department and the Milwaukee Police Department. The Commission sets standards for hiring employees of the two public safety Departments. Responsibility for day-to-day operation of the Departments rests with their chiefs.

The Commission holds regular business meetings twice each month except August. These meetings are open to the public, and agendas are published in advance on the web site. Meetings are usually on the first and third Thursdays of the month, at 5.30p.m., on the third floor of City Hall (200 East Wells Street). Some meetings are held in community locations.

History
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, which was established in 1885, is the oldest civil service authority in Wisconsin. The original Commission, which had four members, was created to remove the fire and police services from politics. Until that time, in Milwaukee as in most cities, chiefs of both departments were appointed by the mayor, who used these appointments, and the appointment of police officers, as a form of political patronage. Between 1855 and 1885, Milwaukee had eight police chiefs, including one who was appointed three times in that period. The new law made the civilian Board of Commissioners responsible for setting employment standards and testing candidates for positions in both safety services, and responsible for appointing both chiefs. The Commission's authority and responsibility are specified in Wisconsin Statute 62.50, and in the Milwaukee City Charter.

The five Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor of Milwaukee, and must be approved by the Common Council. They serve overlapping five-year terms. The Commissioners elect a Chair and Vice-Chair. Some Commissioners have active professional careers; others are retired. They receive a salary of $6,600.00 per year. Diversity of background and experience makes the Commissioners representative of the entire Milwaukee community.

What the Fire and Police Commission Does

Commission functions include oversight of recruitment and testing standards for positions in the Fire and Police Departments; hearing appeals by members of either Department who have been disciplined by their Chief; hearing citizen complaints; and general policy oversight. Staff members, headed by an Executive Director, are responsible for carrying out Commission functions. Staff members are employees of the City of Milwaukee.

Recruitment and Testing

Since 1885, no person has been appointed to any position in either the Police Department or the Fire Department without Board approval. The Board has a long-standing commitment to ensuring the Public Safety workforce is representative of the Milwaukee community.

Applicants must meet minimum requirements, set by the State of Wisconsin for Police Officers and by the Commission for other positions. Following Commission standards, Department of Employee Relations staff develop and administer a variety of examinations, including written, physical ability and oral tests, a background investigation, a medical examination, and drug screening. Applicants who pass all components are hired according to their total score on an Eligible List. Firefighters and Police Officers are hired at intervals for training classes; other entry-level positions are filled as vacancies occur. Tests are comprehensive, and may include written, oral, and job simulation components.

The Commission does not test for positions, including administrative ranks in both Departments, which are classified as "exempt". When such a position is vacant, the Chief of the Department nominates a candidate for Commission approval. The Board generally conducts an oral interview before giving its approval.

When the position of Chief becomes vacant in either Department, the Commission determines qualifications, solicits applications, and selects the new Chief. Chiefs of both Departments are hired for four-year terms, renewable at the Commission's discretion.

Disciplinary Appeals

With certain exceptions, members of the Fire and Police Departments may appeal to the Commission if they believe they have been unfairly dismissed, demoted, or suspended for more than five days. Disciplinary appeals are heard by a panel of Board members. The panel may sustain, modify, or deny the Chief's action.

Citizen Complaints

Any person may make a complaint against a member of either Department. The complaint must identify a specific act of wrongdoing. Complaints may be resolved through a process of conciliation, in which the aggrieved person and the accused try to reach agreement through discussion, or through a full due process hearing conducted by either a hearing examiner or a panel of the Board. The Commission provides a guide to the Citizen Complaint Procedure.

Policy Oversight

The Board has a statutory responsibility to conduct an annual policy review of both the Fire and Police Departments. The Board also has authority to make rules for both Departments, but has chosen to delegate this authority to the Chiefs of the Departments. Any new or changed rule requires Commission review and approval before it can be implemented.

The Board has established a committee approach to managing its oversight responsibility. Two standing committees are the Committee on Rules and Complaints and the Policy Review Committee. Other committees are formed as needed.

Michael G. Tobin, Executive Director

Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission
200 E. Wells Street, Room 706-A, Milwaukee WI 53202
414-286-5000
or send us e-mail. If you would like a reply, please provide your name and a postal mailing address.

November 2007

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