Milwaukee Police Department facial recognition technology banned

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Police Department announced on Friday, Feb. 6, that it will voluntarily issue a ban on the use of any and all facial recognition technology (FRT) use for the department. 

The move comes after a public hearing before the Fire and Police Commission on Thursday evening, Feb. 5, and a lot of push back from people opposed to the tech.

The disappointment now is coming from the union.

This all stems from a proposal pitched by the company Biometrica in spring 2025: 2.5 million mug shots in exchange for new facial recognition technology.

Thursday FPC meeting

What we know:

On Thursday night, Feb. 5, the Milwaukee's Police Chief was supposed to outline a draft policy to implement the tech.

But after a fiery meeting, MPD is standing down.

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"Why is the Milwaukee Police Department moving backwards?" asked Emiolio de Torri of the Milwaukee Turners.

Push back upon push back.

"If Milwaukee uses FRT, it creates another pipeline for misuse," said Nick Onorato, a Special Education Teacher with MTEA. "There is no guarantee that this data stays local."

That's a quick summary of the public comment that lasted three hours during Thursday's FPC hearing on MPD's use of facial recognition technology.

MPD bans the use of FRT

What we know:

Fast-forward to Friday afternoon, Feb. 6.

"There's victims out there that are sitting and waiting for justice, and maybe this was a tool that was going to get you there," said Milwaukee Police Association President Alex Ayala.

Chief Jeffrey Norman announced MPD is banning the use of any and all facial recognition.

The department was considering a trade-off: 2.5 million mug shots in exchange for new facial recognition tech.

"There’s a lot of conversation around it," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

The chief's statement reads, in part, "Despite our belief, this is useful technology to assist in generating leads for apprehending violent criminals. We recognize that the public trust is far more valuable."

"I respect the decision of the fire and police commission, listening to the public," added Mayor Johnson.

Milwaukee Police Association criticism

What we know:

But, Milwaukee's police union doesn't see it that way.

"This is just one tool in your tool bag to solve crime. The people that are really losing here are the officers and Milwaukee Police Departments, but also the victims," added Ayala.

Ayala says facial recognition tech is valuable and could help clear cases.

"The fear I think for people, is these 2.5 million mug shots are going to this database that potentially anyone can have access to – what’s the department’s take on that?" asked FOX6 Reporter Stephanie Quirk.

"If you are a regular abiding citizen just walking your dog, nothing is going to happen to you. But if you are out there committing crimes – that’s what it's going to be used for. Plain and simple," responded Ayala.

People at Thursday's meeting cited studies that show the tech has high mis-identification rates among people of color and other marginalized groups, while MPD says it would've only used the tech to generate leads on suspects of violent crimes.

MPD statement

What they're saying:

A statement from the Milwaukee Police Department says the following: 

"We understand the public concern, particularly in light of national circumstances. Despite our belief that this is useful technology to assist in generating leads for apprehending violent criminals, we recognize that the public trust is far more valuable. 

"Therefore, effective immediately, Chief Norman will issue a department directive banning the use of facial recognition for all members.

"In addition, MPD will not proceed with the acquisition of any facial recognition technology at this time. 

Police union reaction

What they're saying:

The Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) released the following statement on MPD's decision to man facial recognition technology. 

"The Milwaukee Police Association is deeply concerned and disappointed by two recent decisions by MPD leadership that significantly limit the tools available to Milwaukee police officers: the implementation of new restrictions on vehicle pursuits and the voluntary moratorium on the use and acquisition of facial recognition technology.

"Both vehicle pursuit authority and modern investigative technology are critical tools that help officers protect the public, solve violent crimes, and safely apprehend dangerous offenders. Removing or restricting these tools does not eliminate crime or danger - it risks shifting that danger onto Milwaukee residents and the officers sworn to protect them.

"Vehicle pursuits are among the most difficult decisions officers make. Milwaukee police officers receive extensive training to evaluate risk, traffic conditions, and public safety before initiating or continuing a pursuit. Policies that prevent officers from pursuing individuals engaged in extremely dangerous driving behavior can embolden offenders who believe they can evade accountability simply by fleeing at high speeds. Reckless drivers do not become safer when officers are forced to disengage; they continue to pose a threat to neighborhoods, businesses, and families.

"Similarly, facial recognition technology is an investigative tool that can assist detectives in generating leads in violent crime cases. It does not replace traditional police work or serve as a basis for arrest without further investigation. When used responsibly and with appropriate safeguards, this technology can help identify violent offenders, support victims, and improve case clearance rates.

"The MPA fully supports thoughtful policy development, transparency, and community input regarding policing practices and emerging technology. However, removing critical tools altogether - rather than implementing responsible oversight and safeguards - unnecessarily limits law enforcement’s ability to keep the community safe.

"Public safety requires a balanced approach that provides officers with strong training, modern technology, and reasonable discretion to respond to dangerous and rapidly evolving situations. Milwaukee residents deserve effective policing strategies that prioritize both community trust and the ability to hold violent offenders accountable.

"The MPA remains committed to working with department leadership, policymakers, and community stakeholders to develop policies that protect civil liberties while ensuring officers retain the tools necessary to safeguard our city. #TheForceBehindTheForce"

Public comment on tech

The backstory:

Public comment stretched for several hours on Thursday evening. The Milwaukee Police Department outlined a proposed policy governing the use of facial recognition technology during a meeting of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission at City Hall.

Under Wisconsin’s Act 12,  Chief Norman has the authority to issue department policy. However, the Milwaukee Common Council can modify or reject that policy with a two-thirds vote, requiring support from at least 10 of 15 members.

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So many people signed up to speak that the FPC paused public comment after about an hour to allow for a presentation from the NYU School of Law Policing Project. Public comment resumed afterward.

MPD has previously acknowledged using facial recognition technology from other agencies to help identify suspects and solve crimes. The current discussion centers on a proposed agreement with the data company Biometrica.

Dig deeper:

Under the proposal, MPD would provide 2.5 million mug shots in exchange for two free licenses to the company’s facial recognition software. Police officials said the technology would be used to assist investigators, while Biometrica would store MPD’s data in its own database.

Most speakers who addressed the commission said they oppose the proposal. Several cited studies showing higher misidentification rates among people of color and other marginalized groups, along with concerns about how data could be shared or accessed.

ACLU reaction

What they're saying:

Amanda Merkwae, Advocacy Director at the ACLU of Wisconsin, issued the following statement: 

"Thanks to an outpouring of public opposition, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman announced that he will no longer seek to acquire facial recognition technology and will ban its use within the department. While this is certainly welcome news, it is still incumbent upon Chief Norman to prove that MPD will follow through on the moratorium.

"For years, Milwaukee Police have used facial recognition in secret despite publicly claiming otherwise. Under immense public pressure, MPD officials have admitted to borrowing facial recognition technology from other jurisdictions without any internal policy in place, unbeknownst to the Fire and Police Commission, for at least two or three years, meaning that Milwaukee police have been using a tool that allows them to identify, track, and monitor people in public spaces without consent, notice, or meaningful accountability. 

"For the past nine months, countless Milwaukee residents and community leaders have engaged in thoughtful community education, spent hours upon hours in public meetings, and contacted their local elected officials to voice their unequivocal opposition to the use of FRT. This step forward is a testament to that work. 

"However, given the department’s lack of transparency concerning FRT, we must remain vigilant and continue to hold MPD accountable. This ban can’t just be lip service or a hollow gesture meant to ease public backlash. It must actually mark an end to the use of facial recognition by Milwaukee police."

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