Two officers with the Miami Police Department are one step closer to whistleblower protection after coming forward with allegations of activities of corruption against Chief Manuel Morales.

During a hearing Tuesday, the city had no objection to the request to start the process for whistle blowers protection for Commander Brandon Lanier and Detective Wanda Jean-Baptiste

The hearing is based on two letters submitted by them saying Morales was trying to control the outcome of internal affairs investigations.

It's the first step to get the federal protection under the Whistleblowers Act.

“I think it’s a matter of making sure that other members of the police department that work and serve and protect the citizens of Miami don’t have to undergo the same actions and harm that they are going under for just doing their job,” said Griska Mena, and attorney for the South Florida Police Benevolent Association.

The next hearing is scheduled for January 24th. NBC 6 reached out to Morales and Miami's city manager, Arthur Noriega, but have not heard back.

Previously in an exclusive interview with NBC 6, Morales denied those allegations against him and Noriega previously voiced support for the chief.

The two internal affairs employees want outside agencies to investigate to see if a crime has been committed after alleging that they aren't being allowed to independently do their work.

Morales said a priority for him when he took over was healing from turmoil during predecessor Art Acevedo’s...

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