Procedures for allowing media ride along interviews with Milwaukee police will be subject of public hearing

There will now be a public hearing on how police approve media ride along interviews with Milwaukee Police.

It is the latest fallout from a scathing BBC documentary on crime in Milwaukee.

"I would think a documentary would be unique enough that this board and the mayor should have known about it," said Fire and Police Commission member Kathryn Hein who was part of a question and answer session with Assistant Chief William Jessup Thursday night.

Jessup says the rank and file claim there were positive interviews that were conducted, but that they never made it into the report.

He said there were lengthy discussions with the British reporter and an application process.

The department has maintained that it was misled by the journalist.

The BBC sticks by the story.

Some commission members wondered why police weren't more skeptical given the formal request letter for the ride along came about a week after a fatal officer involved shooting that resulted in fires and unrest in Sherman Park.

"The letter specifically states homicide and violent crime," said commissioner member Marisabel Cabrera. "You know that's what they're going to be looking into. That doesn't sound like a positive story?"

Jessup responded by saying: "We didn't want a spin. We wanted accurate context to the situation in Milwaukee."

Commissioners say they will ask Chief Ed Flynn and representatives from the City Attorney's Office to be part of the public hearing, since they were involved in the decision making.