Public Notice: Special Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2024

Over the weekend, we asked the community to share their thoughts on the candidates still in the running for the vacant Public Safety Inspector General position by completing an online survey. This public feedback form will remain open until the end of the day on Tuesday, September 17. CPC employees will then gather and analyze the responses and present the findings to the commissioners before or at the upcoming special commission meeting, scheduled for Thursday, September 19. At this meeting, the commissioners will consider all community feedback and, together, formally recommend a candidate to Mayor Justin Bibb for the Inspector General position.

Please join us at the CPC office from 6 to 7 p.m. to voice any last-minute concerns you may have during the public comment segment of our meeting. As always, we will be live-streaming the meeting on our YouTube channel. The chat box will be open, so feel free to leave questions, comments, or concerns there as well. We look forward to seeing you soon.

CPC Seeks Public Input on Inspector General Candidate Interviews

In the 7 weeks after posting the job application online, the City of Cleveland received over 3 dozen applications for the vacant Public Safety Inspector General position. After carefully considering their backgrounds and qualifications, 5 applicants were chosen to move forward in the interview process.

Over the last few days, CPC Commissioner Audrianna Rodriguez and Co-Chair John Adams met with four candidates over Zoom and conducted a thorough and comprehensive line of questioning; the fifth applicant rescinded their candidacy before their scheduled interview. In an effort to maintain complete transparency with the community we represent, these interviews were recorded and have been posted to our YouTube channel.

While all 13 commissioners are tasked with watching the four interviews and providing feedback and recommendations on whom the CPC should nominate for the position, we’re also asking the community to do the same. Whoever lands this job will play a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability within the Cleveland Division of Police, and this is your chance to have a say in who that could be.

We encourage the public to watch every interview and submit their thoughts and comments by completing our survey. In addition to the interviews, please also take a moment to review the candidates’ resumes and work histories. Tell us who you think could step into this role comfortably and excel in executing the responsibilities and duties of the Public Safety Inspector General—a critical position for upholding public trust, ensuring constitutional policing, maintaining institutional integrity, and implementing best practices in reform within the Department of Public Safety. Your voice is essential in shaping the future of public safety oversight within our city, and the commission will consider your responses before making a formal recommendation to Mayor Justin Bibb.

If you’re unable to complete the survey online, we invite you to stop by our office at 3631 Perkins Ave. to fill out a physical copy or attend the special full commission meeting on September 19th to share your thoughts on the candidates in person before we take a final vote.

We hope you’re as impressed with these consummate and exemplary professionals as we were.

Cleveland Community Police Commission searching for new commissioners

At the end of this year, the Cleveland Community Police Commission will be saying goodbye to nine of our dedicated commissioners. Shandra Benito, Pastor Kyle Early, Cait Kennedy, Gregory Reaves, Teri Wang, and Sharena Zayed will all have served two-year terms, which are set to expire in December. Charles Donaldson, Alana Garrett-Ferguson, and Jan Ridgeway have chosen to resign from their roles before the completion of their four-year terms, which were set to expire in December 2026.

We want to thank all exiting commissioners for their hard work and commitment to creating equitable police policies that protect all Cleveland residents. In the nearly two years since they were appointed, they’ve tackled everything from use of force to community surveillance and unlawful search and seizure. Even so, the CPC has hardly scratched the surface when it comes to monitoring and creating new standards for the Cleveland Division of Police.

Now, it’s time for a new cohort of commissioners to join Co-Chair Dr. John Adams, James Chura, Audrianna Rodriguez, and Piet van Lier as they build upon the CPC’s work thus far. The city is accepting applications through Friday, September 6. Applicants must be Cleveland residents and at least 18 years old. They must also fulfill one of the criteria below:

Be, represent, or be knowledgeable of, as applicable, the issues of those who are:

  •  Limited-English speakers, homeless, or who have mental-illness and substance-abuse disorders
  •  Directly impacted by police violence, or be a family member of a person who has been killed by police
  •  Been incarcerated and exonerated where police were involved in the wrongful conviction or incarceration
  •  Gun-violence survivor or be a family member of a person killed by gun violence
  •  Attorney with experience representing victims of police misconduct or criminally prosecuting police misconduct

Current commissioners whose terms end this year are welcome to reapply; they will be subject to the same rigorous application process as anyone else. After receiving community feedback, Mayor Justin Bibb will recommend individuals to fill the open positions. Cleveland City Council will issue final approvals.

For more information on how to apply to become a commissioner for the CPC, visit the City of Cleveland’s website. We look forward to welcoming all the new faces, perspectives, and voices.

Public Notice: Performance and Evaluations Committee rescheduled for 9/03/24

Please be advised that the Police Promotions and Evaluations Committee meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 27th, will now take place on Tuesday, September 3rd. As always, this meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

CDP Line of Duty Death 7-4-24

For Immediate Release:

The Cleveland Community Police Commission expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the officer who tragically lost their life in the line of duty on July 4th, 2024. This heartbreaking event reminds us of the immense dedication our officers demonstrate daily as they work to protect our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this loss.

In these difficult times, it is crucial to acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who serve while also reaffirming our commitment to public safety and community well-being. We stand united with the Cleveland Division of Police in seeking justice and ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future. The Commission remains steadfast in its mission to promote trust, accountability, and collaboration between the police and the communities they serve.

CPC Analyzes Federal Monitor’s 13th Semiannual Consent Decree Compliance Report

Assessment shows an increase in overall progress made by the City over the course of six months

For Immediate Release
October 26, 2023

Contact 
Jason Goodrick, Interim Director
jgoodrick@clevelandohio.gov

Cleveland, OH – Today, the Community Police Commission (CPC) released its sixth Quantification Report in its ongoing effort to help the Cleveland community understand the progress the City of Cleveland has made towards Consent Decree compliance.

The CPC’s Quantification Report assessed the Monitoring Team’s findings in their 13th Semiannual Report that assessed the timeframe of January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023. This reporting period represents the first semiannual report filed by the new Monitor.

In its Quantification Report, the CPC developed a numeric scoring system to show the City’s compliance status, with numbers based on the Monitoring Team’s status summaries described in their semiannual reports.

By quantifying the Monitoring Team’s assessments, and assigning the progress made in each Consent Decree paragraph with a number, it’s the CPC’s goal in this report to provide the citizens of Cleveland an additional way to understand the Monitor’s reports, and to more easily track overall progress and see how much work remains. Consent Decree areas assessed for compliance include: Accountability, Use of Force, Community & Problem Oriented Policing (CPOP), and Crisis Intervention.

Main takeaways in the CPC’s report:

  • Overall compliance increased 2.7% between the publication of the Monitor’s 12th and 13th Semiannual Reports.
  • In the current reporting period, the City has made 41.7% overall progress towards full Consent Decree compliance.

Read the CPC’s full report here:
Quantification of the Monitoring Team’s 13th Semiannual Report

Download News Release as PDF

CPC Statements & News

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CPC to Approve Candidates to Receive Grant Funding for Violence Prevention, Restorative-Justice, and Mediation Programs

Grant funds invests over $1 million to support community-led programs in Cleveland

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2023

Contact 
Jan Ridgeway, CPC Co-chair
jmccullough-ridgeway@clevelandohio.gov

John Adams, Budget & Grants Committee Chair jadams5@clevelandohio.gov

Contact 
Jan Ridgeway, CPC Co-chair
jmccullough-ridgeway@clevelandohio.gov

John Adams, Budget & Grants Committee Chair jadams5@clevelandohio.gov

Cleveland, OH – Today, the Community Police Commission (CPC) will hold a special meeting to bring forward the proposed list of candidates to receive grant funding from the 2023 CPC Community Grants Program to be deliberated and decided on by the full commission.

The CPC has a duty according to Charter §115-5 to allocate the just over $1 million in grant funding to “community-based violence-prevention, restorative-justice, and mediation programs to reduce the need for police activity.” Members of the Budget and Grants Committee have completed their review process which included interviews with qualifying applicants to ensure all proposed programs align with the city charter.

It’s anticipated that the final list of grant recipients will be made available following the meeting. For more information about the CPC community grants program, visit: clecpc.org/community-grants.clecpc.org/community-grants.

WHEN:
Thursday, October 19, 2023 | 6:30pm – 7:30pm

WHERE:
The meeting will virtual on Webex and Livestreamed. Registration is not required to join the meeting. The chat feature in Webex will be open for public comment.

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CPC Launches Community Grants Program to Support Programs that Reduce the Need for Police Activity

Cleveland residents and nonprofits are encouraged to apply for grants to fund local, community-based violence prevention, restorative-justice, and mediation programs.

For Immediate Release
June 22, 2023

Contact 
Jason Goodrick, Interim Director jgoodrick@clevelandohio.gov

Contact 
Jason Goodrick, Interim Director jgoodrick@clevelandohio.gov

This week, the Community Police Commission (CPC) launched its community grants program to support local, Cleveland-based violence prevention, restorative-justice, and mediation programs that reduce the need for police activity, with $1 million in total funding.

In accordance with the city of Cleveland’s Charter Section 115-5, the CPC receives an annual budget for grantmaking that is at least 0.5% of the Cleveland Division of Police’s total budget.

“We’re excited to launch a grant program that directly supports Cleveland residents in creating meaningful impact in our community,” said CPC Co-chair Jan Ridgeway. “This grant opportunity will give funds directly to Cleveland organizations to develop community-centered initiatives that can reduce and prevent violence in our community and improve relationships between our communities and our police department.”

Community-led initiatives that address trauma, violence prevention, and conflict resolution are beneficial for both the community and officers. These programs typically empower citizens at the grassroots level to take direct action when faced with certain problems. This can reduce the overall strain on police resources and free them to focus on other matters of public safety.

The CPC will award grants up to $50,000 for Cleveland non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations or individuals with a fiscal sponsor. Grant requests for larger amounts will be considered with the understanding there will be a longer and more extensive approval process. A public virtual information session will be held in the following weeks that will walk interested applicants through the application process and include a question and answer session.

Applications are due July 31, 2023. For more information about the program, eligibility, and to apply for the CPC community grants program, visit: clecpc.org/community-grants.

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CPC Statements & News

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CPC Analyzes Federal Monitor’s Recent Consent Decree Compliance Report

Assessment shows a decline in progress made by the City over the course of six months

For Immediate Release
April 10, 2023

Contact 
Jason Goodrick, Interim Director jgoodrick@clevelandohio.gov

Contact 
Jason Goodrick, Interim Director jgoodrick@clevelandohio.gov

Today, the Community Police Commission (CPC) released its fifth Quantification Report in its ongoing effort to help the Cleveland community understand the progress the City of Cleveland has made towards Consent Decree compliance. The CPC’s Quantification Report assessed the Cleveland Police Monitoring Team’s findings in their Twelfth Semiannual Report that assessed the timeframe of July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

In its Quantification Report, the CPC developed a numeric scoring system to show the City’s compliance status, with numbers based on the Monitoring Team’s status summaries described in their semiannual reports.

By quantifying the Monitoring Team’s assessments, and assigning the progress made in each Consent Decree paragraph with a number, it’s the CPC’s goal in this report to provide the citizens of Cleveland an additional way to understand the Monitor’s reports, and to more easily track overall progress and see how much work remains. Key areas assessed for compliance include: Accountability, Use of Force, Community & Problem Oriented Policing (CPOP), and Crisis Intervention.

Main takeaways in the CPC’s report:

– Overall compliance decreased -3.4% between the publication of the Monitor’s Eleventh and Twelfth Semiannual Reports.

 

– In the current reporting period, the City has made 39% overall progress towards full Consent Decree compliance.

The CPC will discuss its report findings and other current works at an upcoming in-person public meeting on Wednesday, April 12th from 6-8:30pm at Dunham Tavern Museum & Gardens located at 6709 Euclid Ave.

Read the CPC’s full report here: Quantification of the Cleveland Police Monitoring Team’s 12th Semiannual Report

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Local Organizations to Host Community Conversation Series about the Impact Police Violence has on the Mental Health of the Black Community

Conversations in this four part series will be held in March, April, May, and July 2023

For Immediate Release
March 17, 2023

Media Contacts 
Shalenah Williams:
1-216-857-3114; swilliams3@clevelandohio.gov

LaTonya Goldsby:
1-216-903-8759; blacklivesmatter216@gmail.com

Cleveland, Ohio — Beginning March 2023, a collaboration of community organizations including Black Lives Matter Cleveland, The Angelo Miller Foundation, the Cleveland Community Police Commission, ADAMHS Board, Spread the Love Foundation, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter, and the Woodruff Foundation, along with several other community organizations will host a series of community conversations about the impact police violence has on the mental health of the Black community in Cleveland.

Conversations in this four part series will be held in March, April, May, and July, 2023. Each will be facilitated by mental health professionals and community leaders and will focus on the experiences had by Black women, Black men, and Black youth.

Information gained through conversations about attendees’ lived experiences will be used to help build trauma informed police policy and training in Cleveland. Attendees will also learn about available therapies and mental health agencies to help reduce the effects of over policing and trauma caused by negative encounters with police.

Akron University researchers will be in attendance for all conversations to conduct a long-term study and analysis of data collected from these conversations. The resulting evaluation report will establish actual Cleveland experiences that contribute towards achieving data driven policing in Cleveland. The report will be presented to the Mayor, Safety Director and City Council. This published report is intended to impact practices and policies on a wider scale. All are welcome to participate in this important dialogue.

Conversation Series Details

Conversation 1
You Are My Sister: Black Women’s Conversation
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: Towards Employment – 3301 St Clair Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114
Featured Speaker: Billie Gilliam, Director of Clinical Services YWCA Greater Cleveland
Register: bit.ly/PVW23

Conversation 2
Real Men Real Talk: Black Men’s Conversation
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: The Alpha Education & Leadership Development Center – 2820 East 116th Street Cleveland, OH 44120
Featured Speakers: Eric King – President, Mental & Emotional Wellness Centers of Ohio, and Dorian Mahulawde – Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental & Emotional Wellness Centers of Ohio
Register: bit.ly/PVM23

Conversation 3
For our Future: Black Youths Conversation
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023
Time: 9:30am – 1:30pm
Location: Tri-C Metropolitan Campus – 2900 Community College Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115
Featured Speakers: Walter Patton, creator of Ghetto Therapy, and Chief Clayton Harris, Tri-C Police Department
Register: bit.ly/PVY23

Conversation 4
The Conversation: Larger, Concluding Conversation
Date: Friday, July 28, 2023
Time: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Location: TBD
Registration link available soon

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