Alderman says MPD pursuit policy means more crime in the city; Flynn says it's lack of consequences

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan is renewing his call for a change in police policy in Milwaukee. Alderman Donovan says there is a direct correlation between the Milwaukee Police Department's pursuit policy and the city's crime rate.

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn says he wants to make it clear: MPD doesn't have a "no pursuit" policy. If officers know someone has committed a violence crime -- officers will pursue that suspect.

Chief Flynn pointed to a recent case, where a police pursuit ended in a crash and an arrest in Bay View -- after an armed robbery in Oak Creek.

It happened on Sunday, July 19th.

St. Francis police say three total suspects were taken into custody -- and they are seeking a fourth suspect.

The pursuit ended in a crash on S. Clement on Sunday evening. Officers were in pursuit of a vehicle involved in an armed robbery one day prior in Oak Creek.

Police say the vehicle was observed casing businesses in Cudahy prior to the pursuit.

No one was injured during this incident.

Chief Flynn spoke out about MPD's pursuit policy as new police recruits got ready to undergo training to become MPD officers.

"We expect them to be prepared to serve the public and to do so, if necessary, at the risk of their own personal safety," Chief Flynn said.

But not at the risk of the public's safety.

MPD's pursuit policy reads in part:

The policy first changed back in 2010, after an innocent woman was killed during a pursuit.

In the first seven months of 2009, MPD officials say officers engaged in 98 vehicle pursuits.

In the first seven months of 2015, there have been 116 pursuits by MPD officers.

"If the officer has knowledge that this person has committed a violent crime or has probable cause to believe it, we authorize a pursuit," Chief Flynn said.

"We`ve seen a significant level of disorder as a result of this policy," Alderman Donovan said.

Alderman Donovan says he partially blames the policy for the increasing crime rate in Milwaukee.

"I ask the mayor to step in if necessary to put an end to this ill-advised policy that is sadly fueling crime across Milwaukee," Alderman Donovan said.

Chief Flynn says the issue isn't so much about what officers do during the pursuit -- but what happens to the criminals after they're caught.

"This has been one of the problems with pursuing stolen cars -- is lack of consequences," Chief Flynn said.

Flynn says right now, stealing a vehicle means zero points in juvenile court -- which some say is a slap on the wrist.

We're told nearly all of the recent pursuits in the area have involved stolen vehicles.

READ IT: Milwaukee Police Department pursuit policy

Alderman Bob Donovan issued this statement to FOX6 News regarding Flynn's comments on MPD's pursuit policy: