Was MPD Chief Flynn blindsided by police voter fraud report?

These words jumped out at the Brawler as he read Wednesday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage of a police report on "voting fraud" in Milwaukee in 2004:

In a statement, Police Chief Edward Flynn said the report's findings are the views of the investigators, and the department would not take a stand on the policy issues.

And the Brawler thought, "Huh." Then he thought: Did Flynn know that MPD's Special Investigations Unit -- which authored the report -- was going to take a stand on policy issues (eliminating same-day registration, required Voter ID) in a report that is widely seen as having the stamp of the MPD on it?

The Brawler took a look at page 2 of the report -- disclaimers -- and notes that it says the "recommendations and findings in this report are those of the Special Investigations Unit of the Milwaukee Police Department and do not reflect the views of the United States Department of Justice, the United States Attorney's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or any other member of the task force."

Later it says the DA's office "is not endorsing the findings, opinions or recommendations of the report at this time."

Nowhere in the disclaimers does it say that the actual Milwaukee Police Department -- i.e., top brass -- endorsed or did not endorse the findings. Innocent omission or artful elision? Or did the investigators just not ask?

Which leads the Brawler to wonder: How much did Flynn know about this report given that he had to say in a statement that the department would not take a stand on the policy issues? Is he a guy who likes surprises?

And: Who are the investigators who authored the report? Given they've generated headlines nationwide saying that Wisconsin should change its voting system -- headlines attributed to the MPD even if it's not the view of the MPD -- one would think they'd want to enjoy the pride of authorship.

And, finally: If they did not vet this report with the chief, how will Mr. Broken Windows respond to one of his units freelancing?

Comments

[krome]

Perhaps the investigative team that put the report together knows that the higher up politicos are part of the problem and would attempt to undermine the necessary solution?