Cleveland City Council Safety Committee Special Meeting: Federal Monitor 17th Semiannual Report Update (2025-09-30)

On September 30, 2025, the Cleveland City Council Safety Committee held a special meeting to receive an update on the 17th semiannual report from the federal monitoring team overseeing the consent decree with the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP). The meeting was chaired by Councilman Mike Polensek. The monitoring team, led by interim monitor Christine Cole, presented progress across ten substantive areas of the consent decree, highlighting 81 upgrades and zero downgrades in the latest reporting period. Council members engaged in detailed discussion on compliance status, recruitment, community engagement, financial costs, and future assessments.

Discussion Items

• Monitoring Team Introduction: Interim monitor Christine Cole introduced the team, noting changes since the departure of Hogan Lovells personnel. The team now includes retired police chiefs and subject matter experts. Cole emphasized the team's commitment to working with the city toward compliance.
• Progress Overview: The 17th semiannual report, filed September 15, 2025, shows 81 upgrades in compliance ratings over the last five reports and only nine downgrades. The most recent period had no downgrades. The team reviewed five substantive areas this year through nine assessments.
• Crisis Intervention Assessment: Filed with the court on September 26, 2025, this assessment found all paragraphs in either general compliance or substantial and effective compliance—the highest rating. Cole called the work "extraordinary."
• Search and Seizure: A completed assessment of nearly 650 traffic and investigatory stops is under review by the city. Cole noted that articulation in reports is an area for further training.
• Use of Force: The team reviewed all 268 Level 1 and Level 2 use-of-force cases from 2024 and 47 Level 3 cases from 2023–2024. A draft assessment is in progress. Team members reported significant improvement in officer conduct and supervisor accountability.
• Community Engagement and Problem-Oriented Policing: Charles C. and Terrence Gordon noted increased officer presence in community meetings, block clubs, and park visits, as well as positive feedback from residents. The Community Police Commission is now fully seated and reviewing applicants for an executive director.
• Accountability and Oversight: The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) reduced backlog under interim leadership. Internal Affairs has improved investigator onboarding and training. The Inspector General for safety services was hired during this period.
• Supervision and Officer Intervention Plan (OIP): The OIP is being developed with vendor Benchmark Analytics. Supervision remains an area with many unassessed paragraphs, but the team reported increased supervisor engagement observed through body-worn camera reviews.
• Financial Concerns: Council members raised the city's $10 million+ expenditure on the monitoring process and the need for efficiency. Cole explained that a newly proposed budget includes lower rates compared to the prior law firm, and that assessments are resource-intensive. A community survey (last done in 2018) has not been conducted; Cole acknowledged the monitor's responsibility and said conversations with the city and DOJ are ongoing.
• Councilmember Questions:
  • Council President Griffin asked about sustaining progress post-consent decree and the role of AI in policing. Cole suggested the Community Police Commission as a long-term oversight body.
  • Several members discussed the need to streamline the multiple civilian oversight bodies (CPC, CRB, OPS, etc.) to avoid redundancy.
  • A councilmember inquired about a specific search-and-seizure incident; the team explained the complaint process via OPS or the district.
  • Councilwoman Slife requested access to the crisis intervention report for legislative work on "Tanisha's Law."

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken. The monitoring team will continue assessments in use of force, recruitment, hiring, training, equipment, and other areas. The city will review and provide feedback on pending assessments. Council members expressed a desire for the consent decree to conclude as soon as feasible, while acknowledging significant progress. The committee adjourned at approximately 3:00 PM, with a status conference scheduled in federal court that same day.