Cleveland Police To Require Community Policing From Every Officer And Will Work To Diversify Force

The city of Cleveland’s plan for community- and problem-oriented policing requires all officers to engage in some type of community policing. 

In fact, an average of 20 percent of each officer’s time will go toward it.

Commander Johnny Johnson from the Cleveland Division of Police said community- and problem-oriented policing includes activities like walking or biking on a beat, but can also be done while responding to calls for service, for example at traffic accidents.

“Well, that accident happens because maybe the light doesn’t work properly or maybe there needs to be a stop sign,” said Johnson. “And, as an officer, you take the initiative and get that problem fixed, that also qualifies for your 20 percent.”

The proposal is one of the requirements of the federal consent decree with the US Justice Department and open for public comment through the city's website.

The city will also change the staffing levels in its five districts based on volume of calls at each district, so areas like the 2nd District on the near west side and the 4th in southeastern Cleveland will have more patrol officers.

Johnson said that change and the 20 percent rule will take effect once the police department is fully staffed.

According to staffing and recruitment reports released along with the community policing plan, the police had a payroll of 1534 officers, supervisors and trainees as of Feb. 12. The budgeted total for the year is 1601. 

That force is currently 85 percent male and 67 percent white. Cleveland as a whole is 52 percent female and 53 percent black.

The city proposes reducing that gap by 5 percent by the end of next year, requiring them to hire about 75 female and 75 minority officers by then.

To that end, the police department has expanded its advertising campaign and started recruitment efforts at barbershops and hair salons, among other steps.