About
The Cleveland Division of Police was established on May 1, 1866, with the passage of the Metropolitan Police Act. It was reorganized on April 1, 1871, when the Ohio General Assembly allowed taxes to be levied to pay for police services, and was officially classified as a Division of the Department of Safety to be led by the Director of Public Safety in 1903.
Chief Dorothy A. Todd
Chief Todd's journey in Public Safety began as a Traffic Controller in 1998 and transitioned to the Cleveland Division of Police in September of 2000. Through her steadfast commitment and exemplary performance, she steadily rose through the ranks, attaining the positions of Sergeant in 2012, Lieutenant in 2017, and Commander of the Third District in 2019. Her leadership as Commander extended across many of the city's vibrant neighborhoods, including Downtown, Fairfax, Hough, Central, and Little Italy. She adeptly fulfilled the role of Incident Commander for numerous high-profile events in the downtown area, including Presidential visits, debates, MLB All Star, the NFL Draft, NBA All-Star, the Cleveland Air Show, as well as various parades, marches, demonstrations, and festivals.
Mission
The mission of the Cleveland Division of Police is to serve as guardians of the city of Cleveland community. Guided by the Constitution, the Division shall enforce the law, maintain order, and protect the lives, property, and rights of all people, building relationships and connecting with residents to create a more progressive, dynamic police force.
The Division shall carry out its duties with a reverence for human life and in partnership with members of the community through professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication, and excellence in policing.