In the early 2000's the Milwaukee Police Department realized a need for a unit to be created to handle large scale events that required
an organized police response. Several disturbances occurred after community events that showed a need for a group of officers
trained specifically to handle large disorderly crowds. In 2005 after years of research, training, and planning, Lt. Stephen Basting and
Sgt. Fred Tice got the Major Incident Response Team operational. MIRT is comprised of approximately 100 police officers and
sergeants from work locations throughout the Milwaukee Police Department. They work in concert with the Tactical Enforcement
Unit to provide a trained and organized solution to large disturbances and crowd control situations.
an organized police response. Several disturbances occurred after community events that showed a need for a group of officers
trained specifically to handle large disorderly crowds. In 2005 after years of research, training, and planning, Lt. Stephen Basting and
Sgt. Fred Tice got the Major Incident Response Team operational. MIRT is comprised of approximately 100 police officers and
sergeants from work locations throughout the Milwaukee Police Department. They work in concert with the Tactical Enforcement
Unit to provide a trained and organized solution to large disturbances and crowd control situations.
Juneteenth Day Riot 2007
| Republican National Convention 2008 Saint Paul, Minnesota |
In 2008 MIRT traveled to Saint Paul to assist local law enforcement with protection of the Republican National Convention. It was the first time in
the history of the Milwaukee Police Department that such a large contingent of officers was dispatched out of state.
the history of the Milwaukee Police Department that such a large contingent of officers was dispatched out of state.
| G-20 Summit Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
In September 2009, MIRT was again called upon to travel abroad. This time the destination was the G-20 Summit held in Pittsburgh. The G-20
has had a history of violence caused by anarchists in cities that have hosted this event. The City of Pittsburgh put out a call for thousands of
officers and law enforcement agencies from across the nation stepped up to help. Milwaukee was one of those agencies and sent a crew of
almost 50 MIRT members to help.
has had a history of violence caused by anarchists in cities that have hosted this event. The City of Pittsburgh put out a call for thousands of
officers and law enforcement agencies from across the nation stepped up to help. Milwaukee was one of those agencies and sent a crew of
almost 50 MIRT members to help.
| Nazi Rally West Allis 2011 |
| Juneteenth 2011 |
| 2011 Year of the Protester |
