Cleveland Police to Reform Following DOJ Investigation

The City of Cleveland has reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. government to reform the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) following a Department of Justice investigation that found the CDP engages in a pattern or practice of using unreasonable force in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

The settlement agreement, reached between the DOJ and the City of Cleveland, aims to address the CDP’s use of force, search and seizure practices, bias-free policing, and community engagement.

Under the terms of the agreement, the CDP will implement a comprehensive community and problem-oriented policing model to strengthen partnerships with the community and ensure collaborative problem-solving. The CDP will also revise its policies and training to ensure that all stops and searches are conducted in accordance with the Constitution and in a manner that takes into account community values.

The agreement also requires the CDP to develop a bias-free policing policy that makes clear that biased policing is prohibited. This policy will include training on cultural competency and implicit bias, as well as tracking and analysis of interactions between the police and residents.

In addition, the CDP will strengthen its systems for reviewing and investigating uses of force, including the creation of a Force Review Board to review serious uses of force. The CDP will also develop a plan to ensure that specialized officers who have received advanced training in responding to individuals in crisis respond to calls related to those in mental-health crisis.

The settlement agreement also calls for the CDP to revise its systems to ensure that all allegations of officer misconduct are investigated fully, fairly, and efficiently. This includes the placement of a civilian at the head of Internal Affairs and improved training of Internal Affairs investigators.

The agreement also requires the CDP to create a civilian Police Inspector General to review policies and practices, analyze trends, review investigations conducted by the Office of Professional Standards, and review all discipline imposed. The CDP will also collect and report data on its use of force and stop and search practices.

The City of Cleveland has agreed to implement these reforms over the next three years, with regular progress reports to the DOJ. The settlement agreement is a significant step towards addressing the CDP’s pattern or practice of using unreasonable force and ensuring that the police department serves and protects the community in a fair and impartial manner.

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