MPD body camera release policy on hold after judge's ruling hands police union a victory

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The new body camera policy that dictated MPD must release video of critical incidents within 15 days is now on hold after a judge issued a temporary injunction Friday morning.

The policy was initially approved April 20. It says Milwaukee police has to show video to the family of a person involved in a serious incident within two days and the public within 15 days.

Both sides appeared at a hearing Friday morning, and a judge temporarily blocked the policy.

It's a win for the police union, which claims releasing video too early could compromise investigations. But community groups said the delay hurts transparency.

The judge's ruling means that, for the time being, video of critical MPD incidents does not have to be released before the 15-day deadline.

Community groups had fought hard for the new policy for more than a year, but the police union has long said the policy is flawed and could harm its officers.

Andrew Wagner, the president of the Milwaukee Police Association, said, "We think it's irresponsible to release video without the investigation being complete."

For that reason, the Milwaukee Police Association has fought to stop the body camera video release policy. The MPA filed for a temporary restraining order the very night the city's independent Fire and Police Commission adopted the new policy.

Wagner said, "We'd just like time to present our case, and if they put that policy in place immediately, that time doesn't exist."

The MPA claimed the new policy is fatally flawed and was improperly implemented. In its filing, the MPA warned against releasing video too early, writing "once the information is released-to anyone, the damage is done."

But community advocates like Omar Flores had celebrated the policy's adoption just three weeks earlier. Now Flores slammed the judge's ruling and rejected the claim that the public should not see videos until after an investigation is complete.

Flores said, "The public feels that they're taking time to create a coverup. And to create their own story and their own story and narrative around these things."

The Milwaukee Police Department itself is not involved in the legal case, but sent us a statement that said in part "we respect the authority and decision of the Court to issue the injunction of the video review policy today, thereby allowing the Court adequate time to render a thoughtful and legally sound decision."

Wagner said decisions on when to release video should be made on a case-by-case basis. "They should release the video, and things they have as soon as they practically can, at least hold the integrity of the investigation, first and foremost."

But Flores, of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression, said delaying the release fosters a sense of distrust.

He cited thousands of signatures gathered in support of the 15-day policy, and dozens of community members who spoke up at FPC meetings.

Flores said, "Now all of that's thrown out the window. Completely last minute. When we've had about a year and a half to two years to discuss this."

He said the alliance has spoken with every family in Milwaukee that has had a loved die in an incident involving police. "Not one of them has said they want the release of footage to be later. Not one of them said it would be harmful for them. They actually said it would be extremely helpful for them in their process of finding closure."

Just a week ago -on May 5- MPD officers shot and injured two men who were shooting into a crowd. But because of Friday morning's injunction, the 15-day release policy does not apply to that incident.

The injunction will remain in place at least into June when the MPA will return to court to argue against the 15-day video release policy.

The next hearing is June 28.