For the second time in the last decade, the
Department of Justice (DOJ) has found reasonable cause to believe
the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) is engaging in a pattern and
practice of police brutality and violation of constitutional
rights. The DOJ released its report today, which found “structural
and systemic deficiencies and practices—including insufficient
accountability, inadequate training and equipment, ineffective
policies, and inadequate engagement with the community—contribute
to CDP’s use of unreasonable force.”
The DOJ explained its methodology:
Our investigation did not focus only on highly publicized use of
force incidents. Instead, our review examined nearly 600 use of
force incidents that occurred between 2010 and 2013, including
incidents involving the use of lethal and less lethal force. We
closely analyzed these incidents, using use of force reports and
other documents and evidence provided by CDP, and applied the
relevant legal standards to determine whether CDP’s use of force
was legally justified.In addition, our evaluation of CDP’s use of force was informed
by many other sources, including: witness interviews and the
participation of hundreds of individuals in community town hall
meetings; interviews with the Division’s officers, supervisors, and
command staff; input from other stakeholders in the City, including
elected representatives of the patrol officer and management
unions, the Office of Professional Standards, the Civilian Police
Review Board, members of religious communities, and other community
leaders; Division policies, procedures and training materials; and
analysis provided by expert police consultants DOJ retained to
assist with this investigation.
As usual, the DOJ engaged in the obligatory obeisance. “We
recognize the challenges faced by officers in Cleveland and in
communities across the nation every day,” the report stated.
“Policing can be dangerous. At times, officers must use force,
including deadly force, to protect lives, including their own.”
Later: “In addition, the vast majority of CDP officers are seeking
to serve the public as best they can under dangerous and difficult
conditions. These officers deserve the community’s respect and
gratitude.”
Nevertheless the DOJ found enough evidence to suggest systemic
abuses of power by officers at the department.
“The use of force by police should be guided by a respect for
human life and human dignity, the need to protect public safety,
and the duty to protect individuals from unreasonable seizures
under the Fourth Amendment,” the DOJ stated in the report, noting
that a “significant amount of the force used by CDP officers falls
short of these standards.”
Because this is the second time Cleveland police have found
themselves the target of a federal investigation over police
practices, the DOJ is insisting on a consent decree that would
obligate the city to reforms as well as a federal monitor for
oversight.
Read the whole report
here.
Recent police news out of Cleveland:
the cop who shot 12-year-old had been previously ruled unfit to
handle a firearm,
white cops involved in deadly car chase (ending pictured above) sue
over alleged unfair treatment compared to black cops who kill on
duty.
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