Wednesday, March 1, 2023 – Cleveland – The City of Cleveland has shortlisted two potential firms to serve as the next Monitoring Team overseeing the Consent Decree. As part of a public engagement process, a series of community forums will be held next week before making a recommendation to U.S. Northern District of Ohio Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr. for appointment.
The City of Cleveland, led by Police Accountability Team (PAT) Executive Director, Dr. Leigh Anderson, is jointly coordinating the selection process alongside the U.S. Department of Justice to identify a new Monitoring team after Lead Monitor Hassan Aden resigned last November. Judge Oliver appointed Deputy Monitor, Professor Ayesha Bell Hardaway as the Interim Monitor until a permanent Monitor is selected.
“We appreciate the role that the Monitoring Team has played to help us get to where we are today, and we are looking forward to building on that progress. My administration is working closely with the Department of Justice to identify a new Monitoring Team, and we are hopeful they will provide a boost of momentum to meet the goals of the Consent Decree,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb.
On December 1, 2022, the City released a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain proposals and received seven responses. Four firms were selected for interviews, conducted by the City and representatives from the Department of Justice. Two firms were shortlisted to move forward in the selection process and undergo a community engagement process.
Hogan Lovells and J.S. Held are the shortlisted firms being considered for appointment and will take questions from the community at a series of moderated forums.
Three community forums will be held on March 7, 8 and 9, 2023 (locations below), providing residents with the opportunity to attend in-person or virtually. Each firm will deliver a presentation outlining their proposed approach before opening up the floor for questions.
“These forums are a crucial step in ensuring that we take community feedback into account as we move forward in the Consent Decree process,” said Dr. Anderson.
Since taking office, the Bibb Administration has made progress on improving compliance with the Consent Decree by establishing the City’s first ever Police Accountability Team and recently launching the new Community Police Commission, creating new and stronger systems of police oversight.
About the shortlisted firms:
Hogan Lovells is an American-British law firm headquartered in both Washington D.C. and London. Their proposed team includes professionals with backgrounds in the areas of law enforcement and civil rights investigations, as well as a matters regarding anti-discrimination on laws and police accountability. The team has extensive experience with monitoring arrangements and compliance audits and includes the former Attorney General of the District of Columbia, the former Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, and the Deputy to the Lead Monitor in Ferguson, Missouri.
J.S. Held is a global consulting firm headquartered in Jericho, NY. Their proposed team has experience working with law enforcement and other government agencies overseeing projects involving reform efforts, police practices, and community engagement.
Upcoming Community Forums:
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
East Professional Center
1349 E 79th St, Cleveland, OH 44103
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Max S. Hayes High School
2211 W 65th St, Cleveland, OH 44102
Thursday, March 9, 2023
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual
Register
