Cleveland Police Department Looking For New Recruits

A year ago this summer, the U.S. saw its largest civil rights protests in a generation, as the Black Lives Matter movement called for major police reform. Some people were even calling to defund police departments in the wake of multiple deaths of African Americans, while in police custody. 

The Cleveland Division of Police is currently undergoing major reform as mandated by the US Department of Justice, as part of the Cleveland Consent Decree that began in 2015. One of the requirements of the consent decree involves attracting more officers from minority groups. 

In part, due to the protests and the negative perceptions about the police, many departments across the country find themselves having trouble recruiting and retaining officers. 

The Police Department said in May that it was down 102 officers than what it wants to field. It also said that new applicant turnout has been fairly low, and that over 60 officers have retired this year with more on the way. 

The department has just started another push for recruitment, calling for applicants from now until October 21. 

Joining the Sound of Ideas to talk more about hiring needs as well as other important safety issues are Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams and the Director of Public Safety, Karrie Howard. 

Later, Ideastream's Anna Huntsman shares reporting on the increase in threats against public health leaders. And, we'll talk about a new report from Global Cleveland and Rustbelt Analytica that measures the impact that migration has on economic development. 

-Calvin Williams, Chief of Police, City of Cleveland

-Karrie Howard, Director of Public Safety, City of Cleveland

-Anna Huntsman, Health Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

-Jim Russell, Co-Founder, Rustbelt Analytica