CLEVELAND — The City of Cleveland is taking a new step to boost reform within law enforcement.
The city announced the creation of a police accountability team, which would help meet certain standards set forth in a federal consent decree.
The consent decree was an agreement reached in 2015 between the city and the Department of Justice after it found a pattern of unconstitutional policing.
“If you don’t trust the police you are not going to call the police,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb (D). Bibb also said he understands the hardships officers face, seeing it firsthand growing up. Bibb said his dad served in law enforcement for more than 30 years.
Bibb said he hopes the new police accountability team not only keeps the police department compliant under the consent decree, but helps repair the relationship between residents and law enforcement.
“I understand the many frustrations our residents have making sure the police show up on time,” Bibb said.
He also said the fractured relationship has gotten a bit better. “We have seen some dramatic changes. Use of force cases are down, complaints against the police department are down.”
This police accountability team is one of the items demanded in the 2015 decree.
“I believe that this team will make us fully compliant and show the residents of Cleveland that we’re very serious about these mandates,” said Bibb, who said he hopes the team instills not only a positive change within the police department, but a change that is long-lasting.
“We want to lead the most progressive police reform agenda in the country with the work we’re doing right now in Cleveland,” said Bibb.
