Cleveland agrees to major reforms to end ‘unconstitutional policing’

The settlement ends allegations that officers used excessive force

Justin Carissimo
Tuesday 26 May 2015 19:23 BST
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The city of Cleveland has reached a settlement with the US federal government over what officials called a pattern of “unconstitutional policing” and “excessive use of force.”

The announcement of the 105-page settlement with the Department of Justice comes several days after a judge declared Cleveland cop Michael Brelo not guilty of manslaughter for climbing onto the hood of a car and firing repeatedly at its unarmed occupants.

The city has agreed to document every time a police officer uses their guns and to train them on "cultural competency" and against cultural bias.

Data on all searches and seizures will also be recorded to eliminate all illegal uses of force. Supervisors will also investigate each and every use of force similar to they way officers investigate criminal cases.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said that “community policing” will become apart of the city’s DNA and that all police officers will have body cameras by the end of 2015.

“This is a defining moment for the city of Cleveland to find out who we are — the city of Cleveland. Peaceful dialogue can make a lasting change for the city of Cleveland.“

During President Barack Obama’s administration, nearly two dozen investigations into local police departments were opened. Federal investigators found patterns of unconstitutional policing in Baltimore, Seattle, Newark, Albuquerque and Ferguson.

Vanita Gupta, the Justice Department’s top civil rights prosecutor, said constitutional policing is the key to building back trust within the community.

"The decision reflects the work to solve systemic issues that plagues Cleveland. People are coming together to aid a great city," she said.

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