Overview
Mayor Justin M. Bibb established the Police Accountability Team (PAT) reporting directly to his office, to strengthen the City of Cleveland’s ongoing efforts to build effective and resilient police accountability systems. The team works in close partnership with independent oversight agencies, residents, community stakeholders, federal partners, and the Division of Police, ensuring the sustainable implementation of the Consent Decree and coordinated progress of local oversight at every level.
Under the leadership of Dr. Leigh R. Anderson, Ph.D., collaborates with oversight entities, the Division of Police, community stakeholders, and residents, to advance improvements in police procedures, accountability systems, community engagement, data-informed decision-making, and adherence to the principles of constitutional policing.
Consent Decree
The City of Cleveland and the United States Department of Justice entered a Consent Decree in 2015 with the goal of creating and implementing policies, practices, and training to protect the constitutional rights of the people of Cleveland.
The Consent Decree addresses several critical areas of policing, including use of force, search and seizure, crisis intervention, accountability, bias-free policing, community and problem-oriented policing (CPOP), transparency and oversight, and officer assistance and support. It requires the Cleveland Division of Police to implement comprehensive and sustainable reforms across these areas.
Oversight Agencies
The City of Cleveland operates one of the most structurally protected police accountability systems in the nation. Mayor Justin M. Bibb’s administration is setting a national example by institutionalizing a Police Accountability Team within the Mayor’s Office to coordinate reform implementation, strengthen oversight, and ensure the sustained practice of constitutional policing.
The Police Accountability Team collaborates with multiple institutionalized layers of police oversight operating both internally and externally to ensure compliance with the principles of constitutional policing. These oversight mechanisms include:
The Cleveland Police Monitoring Team is a group of subject-matter experts appointed by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio to independently oversee the implementation of the reforms outlined in the Consent Decree between the City of Cleveland and the United States Department of Justice. The Monitoring Team regularly meets with representatives from the Cleveland Division of Police, the Department of Justice, and the City Law Department to review progress, assess compliance, provide technical assistance, and evaluate reforms related to policies, training, and operational practices.
The Cleveland Community Police Commission is a 13-member civilian body created in 2022 following voter approval of Issue 24. The Commission serves as the final authority on police discipline, policies, training, and procedures for the Cleveland Division of Police and is responsible for helping ensure accountability, transparency, and community participation in policing oversight.
The Office of Professional Standards is responsible for receiving and investigating non-criminal complaints filed by members of the public against Cleveland Division of Police employees. OPS conducts investigations in a fair and impartial manner and presents its findings in public hearings to the Civilian Police Review Board.
The Civilian Police Review Board is an independent, nine-member body established to promote accountability, transparency, and public trust in the City of Cleveland Division of Police. The Board reviews investigative findings from OPS and makes recommendations regarding the resolution of non-criminal misconduct complaints involving sworn officers and civilian employees.
The Internal Affairs Unit of the Cleveland Division of Police reviews and investigates allegations of criminal misconduct involving police employees. When appropriate, cases may be referred to external law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Justice, or the local prosecutor’s office for further investigation or prosecution.
The Cleveland Office of the Inspector General for Public Safety conducts independent systemic reviews of policies, procedures, and practices across all divisions of the Department of Public Safety, including the Cleveland Division of Police. The office issues reports that analyze, audit, inspect, and evaluate departmental operations to strengthen accountability and transparency.
The Prosecutor’s Office reviews incidents involving police conduct to determine whether criminal charges or prosecution are warranted.
