Push continues for bodycam video release policy in Milwaukee Co. despite failure to pass in committee
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Efforts to make future body camera footage public after incidents involving sheriff's deputies in Milwaukee County continue, even though one proposal failed to pass a board committee Monday morning.
The advisory proposal, drafted by Milwaukee County Supervisor Ryan Clancy back in September of 2023, follows calls by some in the community for what they call transparency and accountability when it comes to law enforcement.
Several community members spoke at a public hearing Monday in favor of implementing a standard policy for releasing body camera footage at the county level.
"We deserve to understand how it is that we're being policed because it is our democratic right to know that," said Alan Chavoya, the outreach chair for the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.
"There is no expectation of privacy or ownership, it is simply public," added Femi Akinmoladun.
"By withholding information, it seems like you're hiding stuff," said Kerrie Hirte.
That is why several community members spoke at a public hearing Monday in favor of implementing a standard policy for releasing body camera footage at the county level.
Clancy's draft calls for video to be released to family within 48 hours, and to the public within 15 days of an incident -- but that is only a recommendation. Clancy said the timeline would likely be tweaked.
Chief Deputy Daniel Hughes said this could become a problem if an internal investigation is ongoing; stating he feared the public's input could interfere with the outcome of a case and stated that mandating time restrictions would make it more difficult to work with other law enforcement agencies who would fear being held to the same video release restrictions.
"We have not heard any piece of testimony or evidence from any other department, it is only the sheriffs who are opposed to this -- that is telling," said Rep. Ryan Clancy,
"I think the public would actually like to know what happened to Cilivea, there are so many questions that have been left unanswered," said Hirte, in tears, at the committee meeting.
Hirte shared her personal testimony on her then 19-year-old daughter, Cilivea Thyrion, who died on Dec. 16, 2022, while in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail.
"They're saying that she ingested a diaper and that these people were trying to do her good, but how can you do good for a person who is on suicide watch who has limitations, and wouldn't you want to inspect that person to make sure that they say what is really happening with them?" she added.
Hirte told CBS 58 News she was finally able to see the footage five months after the incident. She's been pushing for its release to the public ever since.
"Yeah I got to see it, but if the public was to see it, they would see a totally different story," she said.
In August of last year, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office completed its review of the investigation into Hirte's daughter's death, saying there was no criminal wrongdoing. The Milwaukee Medical Examiner's Office ruled the cause of death was choking, and the manner of death a suicide.
On Monday, the proposal for a county policy involving the release of bodycam footage failed to pass in committee with two votes for and three against. The supervisors who were against the proposal at this time, stated that they wanted to wait for more information after a judge rules on a temporary halt to a city policy involving body camera release. The Milwaukee Police Association, the union representing most Milwaukee police officers, sued the city of Milwaukee in April 2023 over the policy.
The proposal will go for a vote before the full county board on Thursday. Supervisor Clancy said it's also being considered for statewide legislation.