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The Cleveland Observer
March 24, 2025
Editor’s note: Within hours of the Cleveland Community Police Commission’s (CPC) request on March 24, Cleveland City Council unanimously approved an “emergency ordinance” to ratify a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association (CPPA).
The Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC) calls on Cleveland City Council to slow the approval process for a new, three-year contract with the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association (CPPA), citing concerns over transparency and the lack of public input.
In a statement released March 24, the CPC revealed that the City’s Director of Human Resources, Matthew Cole, submitted a letter to Council President Blaine Griffin asking that the legislation be passed “under suspension.” That procedural move would allow Council to bypass its usual rules—skipping committee hearings and moving straight to a vote.
“Normally, ordinances or resolutions will go to committee first, giving the community the opportunity to express support or concern,” the CPC wrote in a statement released hours before the scheduled vote. “This contract deserves no less.”
The current collective bargaining agreement between the City and the CPPA will expire on April 1. The proposed contract includes a 9% pay raise over three years, with added benefits designed to improve officer retention—one of Mayor Justin Bibb’s stated priorities since taking office.
While the CPC acknowledged the importance of retaining officers, Co-Chairs John Adams and Sharena Zayed stressed that such goals should not come at the cost of public trust.
“We understand Mayor Bibb is committed to retaining as many officers as possible,” they wrote, “but it’s imperative that City Council gives residents enough time to read and understand the details and implications of this new, tentative deal.”
The CPC stopped short of endorsing or opposing the proposed contract, instead emphasizing the need for a transparent process. “We are simply asking City Council to hit pause and give their constituents a chance to express their opinions on one of Cleveland’s biggest stages.”
Historically, police union contracts in Cleveland have gone through committee review, allowing council members and the public to engage in discussion. In 2023, changes to police staffing structures and pay increases went before the Safety Committee before being passed by the full Council.
A Pattern of Closed-Door Governance?
This is not the first time the Council has been criticized for fast-tracking legislation. Over the past two years, community advocates and policy observers have noted a growing trend: using “emergency” measures to pass major ordinances at the last minute, often with little to no public engagement. Critics argue that the overuse of suspension rules, intended for urgent or unforeseen circumstances, has become a political tool to limit scrutiny and speed up potentially controversial decisions.
Whether it’s budget adjustments, zoning approvals, or police oversight measures, City Council has repeatedly relied on procedural shortcuts to avoid committee hearings and public input. This has led to a growing concern among residents that transparency is being sacrificed in the name of efficiency.
Historical Pattern Backed by Data
This concern is far from new. In September 2021, The Cleveland Observer published a story entitled “The pace of passage: How quickly city council makes laws and what that means for Clevelanders” by Doug Breehl-Pitorak and Cleveland Documenters.
Their comprehensive review of the City Record found that from January 2020 to May 2021, City Council suspended its rules 99.5% of the time, passing legislation without the three readings typically required for public awareness and engagement. Nearly one-third of all ordinances were passed the very same day they were introduced, leaving little time for public scrutiny.
One striking example was the City’s approval of Operation Relentless Pursuit, a federally funded policing initiative, in June 2020. Despite significant opposition from community groups who raised concerns about over-policing in Black and brown neighborhoods, the funding was passed as an emergency on the same day it was introduced.
A petition from groups like Black Lives Matter (BLM) Cleveland and Showing Up for Racial Justice Northeast Ohio (SURJ NEO) warned that “democracy is starved” when the council bypasses public input.
As Daphne Carr, an organizer with SURJ NEO, put it, “Everybody is much happier when they actually get any say at all on what goes on in their community.”
A Question for Council
If this contract is sound and beneficial to both officers and the public, why not take the time to vet it openly and allow Clevelanders a voice in the process? The public deserves more than a last-minute vote. They deserve representation.
Fast-Tracked in Cleveland: A Timeline of Emergency Legislation
A snapshot of past legislation passed without committee hearings or public input:
📌 December 2023
City Council approved police pay increases and implemented 12-hour shifts for officers as an emergency ordinance. This passed the same day it was introduced.
📌 April 2023
Emergency approval of a zoning change for a controversial development project in Ward 3—residents only learned of it after the vote had passed.
📌 November 2022
Several budget amendments, including reallocations for public safety and housing initiatives, were passed under suspension with limited discussion.
📌 August 2022
A tentative police contract with the CPPA was approved after a brief council discussion. No formal committee vetting was documented.
📌 April 2022
Council declared emergency status to authorize tax abatements for a downtown real estate deal. Critics said it lacked sufficient transparency.
Why Aren’t Council Members Pushing Back?
- Political Alignment with Leadership
Some members may feel aligned with the Council President or Mayor’s office and choose not to challenge leadership publicly. Cleveland’s current council often has a strong block of votes loyal to leadership, which can discourage dissent. - Lack of Public Pressure
When the public isn’t demanding accountability or doesn’t even realize legislation is being rushed, some council members may not feel it’s politically risky to remain silent. Speed can be framed as efficiency unless watchdogs like you call it out. - Procedural Normalization
After years of “suspension of rules” being the norm, many council members, especially newer ones, may not even question it anymore. It’s become baked into how City Hall operates. - Fear of Being Shut Out
Speaking out can cost a council member their committee chairmanship, influence, or the support of colleagues. That risk makes some choose silence over confrontation. - Part of the Problem?
In some cases, yes. Council members benefit when scrutiny is minimized—especially when pushing their initiatives or protecting allies. Fast-tracking shields them from tough questions. Silence can be complicit.
The Cleveland Observer Will Initiate Emergency Legislation Watch
“Because urgency should never excuse silence.”
Purpose:
To track, analyze, and report every instance where Cleveland City Council passes legislation under suspension of rules, declares emergency status, or bypasses committee review—shining a light on patterns of legislative opacity and limiting community input.
(Example)
Date of Proposed Action:
March 24, 2025 (vote anticipated)
Ordinance Title:
Approval of a Three-Year Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association
Summary:
The City administration has proposed a new three-year contract with the CPPA, including a 9% pay raise and provisions for retaining officers. The agreement is set to be retroactive to April 1, 2025.
Same-Day Introduction & Vote?
✅ Requested by administration under suspension of rules.
Reviewed by Committee?
❌ No. The legislation bypassed committee referral.
Declared Emergency?
✅ Yes.
Public Input Opportunity?
❌ None before vote. The Cleveland Community Police Commission has formally objected to the lack of transparency.
“We are simply asking the City Council to hit pause and give their constituents a chance to express their opinions on one of Cleveland’s biggest stages.”
— CPC Co-Chairs John Adams and Sharena Zayed
Implications:
This is the latest example of the City fast-tracking legislation with major implications for public safety, labor relations, and the city budget. Critics argue that bypassing public input erodes trust and democratic accountability, especially on issues with long-term impact.
The Cleveland Community Police Commission released a statement on March 24 about their concerns with Cleveland City Council fast-tracking legislation to approve a new police union contract.
