TSO Highlights Multiple Entities to Address Cleveland Police Accountability

By Gregory Moore

The Cleveland Observer is providing a detailed breakdowof each entity responsible for addressing issues related to police accountability. We delineate each of their responsibilities, how they interact with citizens, and provide direct links to how Cleveland citizens can report complaints, attend meetings, and provide public comments.

At the March 12 monthly meeting of the Cleveland Police Review Board (CPRB), there was an extended discussion regarding the appropriate committee where citizens can direct their complaints. One such complaint under review by the CPRB centered around a police department representative who allegedly could not provide a frustrated caller with the information on the appropriate committee for public comment.

The extended discussion by the CPRB members highlighted the multiple and sometimes overlapping boards that have created an alphabet soup of police
oversight agencies. The multiple entities established over the years can leave many Cleveland resident confused when attempting to navigate the process of filing a complaint or attending an oversit community meeting concerning police misconduct.

The following information has been compiled directly from the City of Cleveland police accountability and oversight agencies. It includes links to
the various entities and reports to ensure the most accurate information is provided to our readers.

Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC)

CPC was established in 2015 as part of the terms of the Consent Decree between the City of Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). These findings were documented in the DOJ’s findings letter. The Consent Decree outlined the work that needed to be done so that CDP policies, practices, and procedures comply with constitutional law.

The CPC’s purpose is to bring community voices into the process of police reform. Ongoing community input is crucial to ensure policing in Cleveland is constitutional, effective, and consistent with community values. The CPC works with the community to ensure that a variety of community perspectives about policing are heard and reflected in the CPC’s reports and policy recommendations.

CPC collaborates with multiple community partners who volunteer their time, expertise, and resources to support effective and respectful community policing within the Cleveland community. By law, the CPC receives at least 0.5% of the amount budgeted for the Division of Police to provide grants for specific communitybased projects centered around restorative justice, violence prevention, and mediation. The CPC awards grants up to $50,000 per year to non-profit 501 (C) (3) Cleveland-based community organizations that focus on violence prevention, restorative justice, and mediation programs that reduce the need for police activity.

CPC Commissioners

The CPC consists of thirteen commissioners who have gone through a selection process and are appointed for a two or four-year term. All two and four-year terms are randomly allocated to preserve fairness and the integrity of the selection process. Commission members represent a broad spectrum of life experience and subject-matter expertise in policing, criminal justice, homelessness, human resources, and community affairs. Commissioners are chosen
that reflect the racial, social, and cultural diversity of the city of Cleveland.

District Policing Committee (DPC) Meetings

Each of the Cleveland Police Department’s five district headquarters holds regular community public meetings to provide residents in each district the opportunity to directly engage with their local CPD officers, voice opinions on policing and crime, and network with neighbors and local community organizers. Upcoming DPC meetings for each of the five districts can be found on the CDP community event calendar.

The Office of Professional Standards (OPS)

The OPS is an independent agency within the City of Cleveland and is composed of civilian employees only. It receives and investigates non-criminal
complaints filed by members of the public against sworn and nonsworn

Cleveland Division of Police employees. OPS is also empowered to make findings and recommend action to the Civilian Police Revie Board (CPRB) regarding thos complaints.

Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB)

The CPRB is a ninemember board that oversees the Office of Professional Standards and can conduct hearings, subpoena evidence, and recommend discipline or policy changes. The CPRB reviews misconduct complaint investigated by the Office of Professional Standards (OPS) and makes recommendations for resolution to the Chief of Police. Prior to recommending discipline or determining that a complaint warrants no action, the CPRB holds a public hearing.

The mission of OPS and CPRB is to increase accountability and improve public confidence in the police by receiving and fairly, thoroughly, objectively, and
timely investigating and resolving misconduct complaints against Cleveland Division of Polic employees. Upon making its decision, the CPRB submits its
findings and recommendations to the Chief of Police and notifies the complainant of the disposition. CPRB hearings are held at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month on the third floor of their offices at 205 West St. Clair Ave.

Meetings can also be viewed live through their YouTube channel.Citizen’s Complaint forms can be emailed to CLEPoliceComplaints@ city.cleveland.oh.us. Comments can also be submitted by calling (216) 664-2944.