February 5, 2026 — Cleveland — Today, the City of Cleveland is proud to report the findings of seven Compliance Assessments filed by the independent Federal Monitoring Team. These assessments demonstrate the reforms enacted by the City, their institutionalization and the Cleveland Division of Police’s (CDP) commitment to constitutional policing.
“The Monitoring Team’s recognition of the significant progress by the Cleveland Division of Police and the City of Cleveland reflects this Administration’s commitment to accountability and its investments in data-driven systems that drive measurable results,” said Dr. Leigh Anderson, Executive Director of the Police Accountability Team. “I am proud of Cleveland, and every community partner advancing lasting reform, as we reinforce our dedication to the core human values of respect, transparency, and accountability.”
THE HIGHLIGHTS
The City of Cleveland achieved 75 upgrades in the Use of Force section of the Consent Decree –one of the most important milestones to date– demonstrating its commitment to constitutional policing and validating the CDP’s strides in compliance. The Monitor provided the following observations:
- Use of Force (75 Upgrades) – In the assessment filed February 4, 2026, the Monitor noted that in 2024, 97% of CDP’s Level 1 and Level 2 uses of force were constitutional, and the remaining cases were appropriately addressed by the Division. “When it comes to interacting with the public, the reviewers found that officers are generally following policies, supervisors are engaged, and when policy violations occur, there is internal identification of those issues, and the systems designed to address those violations are in place and working.” Further, the assessment described how the decreased number of use of force complaints, “could indicate a change in tactics with respect to use of force, an improved handling of the subject at the scene, or the quality of the interaction between the officer and the subject and public."
The City of Cleveland and Division of Police additionally received 69 upgrades across six separate assessments, with the Monitor providing highly favorable evaluations in performance:
- Crisis Intervention (24 Upgrades) – In the assessment filed in September 2025, the Monitor noted “CDP has successfully established a robust crisis intervention program that meets or exceeds the foundational requirements established in the Consent Decree." The Monitor further observed, "The extremely low rates of arrest (1.5-2.1%) and use of force (0.32-0.42%) in crisis incidents, combined with high rates of hospital transport (85.5%), indicate that the program successfully achieves its core goals."
- Search and Seizure (8 Upgrades) – In the assessment filed in December 2025, the Monitor observed, “The vast majority of stops reviewed were supported by sufficient articulation or reasonable suspicion (95.24%), and probable cause in 90.8% of arrests.” The Monitor further highlighted, “The absence of rote or canned language in 94% of the cases suggests improved documentation of officer observations.” The City additionally engaged with third-party Sigma Squared to analyze 2024 search and seizure data and officer bias. Sigma determined that no Division-wide officer bias was detected, with a full report coming in early 2026.
- Recruitment and Hiring (9 Upgrades) – In the assessment filed in December 2025, the Monitor “concluded that the CDP has met or exceeded all requirements for Recruitment and Hiring established in the Consent Decree." The Monitor further reported, "All background investigations for candidates in the reviewed sample who were hired as police recruits were found to be timely and included criminal history, employment history and use of controlled substance assessments."
- Staffing (3 Upgrades) – In the assessment filed in December 2025, the Monitoring Team determined that “CDP has achieved Substantial and Effective Compliance across all three Staffing paragraphs of the Consent Decree.”
- Equipment and Resources (6 Upgrades) – In the assessment filed in December 2025, the Monitoring Team stated, "CDP maintains an adequate number of computers, a functional and safe, though aging, fleet, and properly equipped zone cars, with a 93% in-service rate and no indication of major systemic neglect." The Monitor also documented, “The Division employs qualified information technology professionals and analysts with demonstrated education, experience, and certifications that appear to be above baseline minimal requirements, which allows a modern, data-driven capacity to drive operational decision making."
- Training (19 Upgrades) – In the assessment filed in December 2025, the Monitoring Team reported, “CDP has substantially complied with the Consent Decree’s training requirements,” further noting, “as of this assessment, the CDP recruit academy instructs … a total of 1093 instruction hours.”
“These upgrades are a testament to our shared commitment to accountability, transparency, and meaningful reform—building trust and strengthening partnerships with every community we serve,” said Chief Dorothy Todd. “We recognize the dedication of our officers, the active engagement of the community, and the leadership of the Police Accountability Team in helping our Division achieve this sustained progress.”
The City commends the work recognized by the Monitoring Team and the Court. These assessments demonstrate the Mayor and his administration’s commitment to fulfilling the obligations of the Consent Decree through an all-of-government approach. The Police Accountability Team, together with the Cleveland Division of Police, will continue to actively engage with internal stakeholders and local communities, ensuring transparency and collaboration at every level.
The City stands committed to ensure constitutional policing occurs throughout our community and remains dedicated to reform, accountability, and excellence in policing.
The City commends the work recognized by the Monitoring Team and the Court. These assessments demonstrate the Mayor and his administration’s commitment to fulfilling the obligations of the Consent Decree through an all-of-government approach. The Police Accountability Team, together with the Cleveland Division of Police, will continue to actively engage with internal stakeholders and local communities, ensuring transparency and collaboration at every level.
The City stands committed to ensure constitutional policing occurs throughout our community and remains dedicated to reform, accountability, and excellence in policing.
