Public frustration bubbles over as FPC continues to discuss policy for body cam video

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Public pressure on Milwaukee's Fire and Police Commission is ramping up, urging the commission to quickly release videos after critical incidents.

The FPC has been working on a new policy for more than a year, and they're committed to taking their time to get it right.

There were a few interruptions during Thursday night's virtual meeting as frustrations bubbled over.

For two hours the commission heard from law enforcement and legal experts but were still split on how quickly to release videos.

Several community members -- particularly members of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression -- voiced their frustration and anger as the FPC considered how quickly videos could be released.

Alan Chavoya told the commission, "Transparency is needed and demanded to ensure accountability, and this is what will treat families with respect and dignity."

Most community members that spoke are calling for videos to be released to the public within 48 hours, rather the edited versions MPD releases in community briefings.

Tiffany Stark said, "I support the 48-hour rule because there needs to be accountability and there needs to be something that happens sooner."

After the public comment section, several experts from the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team (MAIT) spoke to the commission.

Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson said MAIT's goal is to give the community the facts, but he added there is a difference between accountability and time. "We talk about 48 hours, we're actually putting these investigations in jeopardy."

Thompson said sometimes it can take five to seven days to notify next of kin, and law enforcement will not trade accuracy for speed.

Various FPC draft proposals call for the release of videos within 15 days or 30 days.

Andrew Wagner, president of the Milwaukee Police Association, said, "I don't think investigation can be concluded, and all the facts could be obtained, within that 15 days."

MPD is calling for a 30-day limit for non-fatal incidents, and a longer 45 days when it is fatal.

Chief Jeffrey Norman cautioned that a request for extensions could become the norm, "Thus looking like we're trying to undermine the expectations of this particular body."

But commissioners acknowledged the public's dissent.

Dana World-Patterson, the chair of the FPC Policies and Standards Committee, said, "We still have an elephant in the room, or many elephants in the room because there is an outcry from the community."

And they recognized the desire for a quicker turnaround time.

Commissioner Bree Spencer said, "15 days is really long to the public when there's a significant trust gap between community members and police."

After two hours the commission decided to continue the conversation rather than make a decision. The camera release policy will be discussed again at a future meeting.