By Rich Weiss, Neighborhood & Community Media Association of Greater Cleveland
Have you ever wondered: “How do you file a complaint against a Cleveland Police officer and what is the timeline for final disposition on that?”
Do you know: “Has the Office of Professional Standards received any complaints about interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises? If so, has it led to discipline or any changes in training and policy?”
Did you ever want to ask: “Is there a reason why the Chief’s or Director’s hearings are not open to the public at this time?”
These were just a few of the questions asked by community members just like you during the April 14, 6:00pm, public meeting sponsored by the local chapters of the United Way and NAACP on the Cleveland Consent Decree. The Wednesday evening input meeting theme was on Cleveland Police Department “Citizen Complaints and the Office of Professional Standards,” but it was not your last chance to have an impact on the Consent Decree and how it is implemented. This was only the fourth in a monthly, 10-part meeting series to which you are not only invited—your input, your concerns, and your questions are vital to the success of the discussion series.
The next meeting is at 6 p.m. on May 12, and the theme will be Crisis Intervention and Officer Wellness.
To answer the call for your input, your concerns, and your questions, register for any of the eight remaining Consent Decree public meetings by visiting unitedwaycleveland.org.