Friday, March 11, 2022 – Cleveland, OH – Today, the City of Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice submitted a Joint Amendment to the Consent Decree to permit the implementation of Charter Section 115, formerly known as Issue 24. It’s the first step towards delivering constitutional policing and implementing the police accountability measures passed by Cleveland voters in November 2021.
“We are moving quickly to incorporate Charter Section 115 into the Consent Decree and build a national model for police reform. Once approved, we can move forward with creating the new Community Police Commission and reforming our oversight process,” Mayor Bibb stated.
The Joint Motion was filed late today and will be considered by Judge Oliver in the U.S. District Court next Thursday, March 17th. Once the Court approves, Mayor Bibb will move forward with creating the new Community Police Commission and appointing its members with consent of City Council.
Charter Section 115 creates a new Community Police Commission, restructures the disciplinary process for police reviews, changes the review process for police training, and removes the Civilian Police Review Board from reporting to the Chief of Police or Public Safety Director.
“In my oath of office, I swore to preserve, protect, and defend the City Charter. Charter Section 115 is the law. We have to follow and uphold the law and that is what I am proud to do today,” Mayor Bibb added.
Since taking office just two months ago, Mayor Bibb has moved quickly to deliver police reform by: 1) expanding the use of the Diversion Center to reduce incarceration of non-violent offenders, 2) requesting an FBI review of alleged misconduct in the anti-gang unit, 3) providing a full year budget for the new Community Police Commission, and today, 4) moving forward with a Joint Amendment to implement Issue 24.
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