Are new MPD guidelines resulting in less stops?

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After Milwaukee settled a federal lawsuit alleging city police were unconstitutionally and disproportionately stopping and frisking minorities, the ACLU reached an agreement with the city.

That agreement included that police would be required to document when they stop or pull people over.

"I think it's important so that we can understand what police are doing on the ground, and making sure that they're being held accountable for those actions," ACLU staff attorney and researcher Emma Shakeshaft said. "This case is again brought about because of racial profiling."

Milwaukee Acting Police Chief Jeffery Norman recently told the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission he has given officers robust training on the policy and will enforce it.

"Either you step up, or unfortunately there are consequences that have to be metted out in regards to that. This is not something of an option," Norman said.

Some city leaders are hearing the policy could simply lead to officers not making stops.

"I've heard an anecdotal report that there's been some chilling effect of the Collins agreement on officers making stops," 10th District Alderman Michael Murphy said.

Murphy said he's heard minor document infractions could have an outsized impact on punishment, and he suggested the FPC look into it. 

"Whether it's a simple typo error, or a small error in grammar, in some respects will be then used against that officer in terms of future promotional opportunities," Murphy said.

Murphy wants to see if there is any statistical evidence this policy is leading to less stops before taking any action.