by Nick Castele
Cleveland’s police reform agreement with the Justice Department could cost the city tens of millions of dollars over the next few years. That’s according to an estimate that city officials gave to council members Monday afternoon.
In order to settle allegations that police too often use excessive force, Cleveland has promised to revamp policies, training, recruitment and oversight for its officers—and to appoint a monitor to oversee the effort.
Officials say the city has to hire staff, buy technology and pay overtime to get it all done. The price tag for all this, they say, could be $13 million next year and $8 million a year after that.
Council President Kevin Kelley said that’s a lot of money for this city.
“It’s certainly a very sobering document and it’s a pretty profound challenge that we face, because obviously this has to have implications on other services,” Kelley said.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson this year said the city’s half-billion dollar budget was being squeezed by falling revenues and rising expenses—and that was before the city tried to reach into its pockets to pay for police reform.
There were no firm answers at the hearing as to how the city would come up with the money.
City Councilman Zack Reed offered one suggestion: Ask foundations and businesses to chip in.
“There has to be a commitment from the private sector,” he said.
Cleveland Finance Director Sharon Dumas said the city had already approached private groups looking for support.
“There has been an outreach and a conversation,” she said, “and I believe there are some considerations, but at this point, still very early in the process, we don’t have a firm commitment.”
