Milwaukee police bodycam release procedure; FPC approves

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission on Thursday, April 20 approved a standard operating procedure for releasing body camera video.

This standard operating procedure requires MPD to publicly release video footage within 15 days of a critical incident. This includes a provision requiring access for families of victims to view video footage within 48 hours of the critical incident.

The commission approved it with an amendment that removed a section that allows the police chief to extend the deadline on its release. It passed 7-1.

Activists and community members say it's a big win for transparency and trust.

Milwaukee police generic

Right now, when police shoot someone or someone dies while in custody, Milwaukee police release an edited video, with police explaining what happened in "Community Briefings."

Before Thursday's vote, MPD's practice was to release the video within 45 days of what they call a critical incident, but it wasn't codified.

After its passing, Chair Edward Fallone thanked the community members, families of loved ones killed and activists calling for this change.

"This is a major step forward for the city of Milwaukee," said Fallone. "Citizen oversight of police and public safety works. Keeping politics out of decisions about policing policies and practices works."

Milwaukee Police Department

The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, the loudest voices in favor of this change, celebrated in the hallway afterward.

The policy will take effect May 1.