Milwaukee To Be Part Of 'Operation Relentless Pursuit'

MILWAUKEE, WI — Citing the City of Milwaukee as one of the seven most-dangerous cities in the U.S., federal officials say the city will be part of Operation Relentless Pursuit — a federal initiative that will increase the number of law enforcement officers starting in 2020.

Attorney General William Barr in a press conference on Dec. 18 said Milwaukee was one of seven cities that will be subject to the new federal program. The other cities were Albuquerque, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City and Memphis.

Federal officials say the operation will involve increasing the number of federal law enforcement officers in Milwaukee, as well as bulking up federal task forces through collaborative efforts with state and local law enforcement partners.

The surge in federal agents will be complemented by a financial commitment of up to $71 million in federal grant funding that can be used to hire new officers, pay overtime and benefits, finance federally deputized task force officers, and provide mission-critical equipment and technology.

According to a Wisconsin Examiner report, police officials in Milwaukee said they do not know the specifics of what will be happening in Milwaukee, though they are looking "forward to partnering with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on this initiative to collaboratively improve the quality of life in the [city of] Milwaukee.”

“The U.S. Marshals Service is proud of the integral role we play in supporting Attorney General Barr’s strong leadership and commitment to combating violent crime and enhancing public safety throughout our nation,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald W. Washington. “We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to make communities safer by addressing violent crime at its core and taking the worst of the worst fugitives and other felons off the streets.”