Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission meetings to be broadcast live

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Common Council has approved a motion for Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (FPC) meetings to be carried live on City Channel 25.

The meetings will be carried live beginning October 18th -- as long as they don’t conflict with Common Council meetings, committee meetings or regularly-scheduled Mayoral budget hearings.

The resolution was sponsored by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, and co-sponsored by Aldermen Willie C. Wade, Ashanti Hamilton and José G. Pérez.

Common Council members say recent events (particularly the investigation into the death of Derek Williams while in Milwaukee police custody) have stirred the public interest in viewing FPC meetings.

Under state law, the FPC has the sole statutory authority to hire or fire the Police Chief and the Fire Chief. Some Common Council members believe strongly that citizens should have the opportunity to easily view live telecasts of FPC proceedings so they can be aware of the discussions taking place and any decisions that are made.

“It is our sincere hope that televising FPC meetings will aid residents in staying informed, and go a long way toward creating transparency and accountability," Alderwoman Coggs said in a statement.

FPC meetings can also be streamed online at city.milwaukee.gov/Channel25.