by David C. Barnett
The clock continues to tick for a panel charged with choosing the Cleveland Community Police Commission --- the group that will advise local law enforcement on reforming departmental policies and practices. The commission must be organized in a little over a month.
It's been nearly eight months since the US Department of Justice issued a report criticizing the city of Cleveland for a pattern and practice of excessive use of force by the police.
The selection of Cleveland for the recent Black Lives Matter conference indicates the city is still in the national spotlight, and puts additional pressure on local reformers to implement change. Gabriella Celeste sits on the selection panel for the Community Police Commission and says local residents need to step up for that change to happen.
"Cleveland is not unique," she notes. "I think the whole country is dealing with these very real and challenging situations. And I guess what I see is that this reminds us that we all have a stake in this process, and the commission is the place where that voice, that community voice, can really engage and make a difference."
This 13-member oversite body must be appointed by September 10th. It will make recommendations on ways to improve police-community relations through new guidelines and training.
