Issue 24 is closer to implementation in Cleveland after U.S. Justice Department approves amendment

Back in November, almost 60 percent of Cleveland voters said yes to Issue 24, which involved creating a permanent Community Police Commission, that together with the civilian police review board, would oversee police conduct investigations. It would also discipline, report and advise about police-community relations, and oversee police training and recruitment. 

Since the city of Cleveland has been under a federal consent decree since 2015, monitored by the US Justice Department, Senior US District Court Judge Solomon Oliver, overseeing the decree, had to approve the proposed changes before the city could proceed with Issue 24's implementation. 

Last week, Oliver approved these changes, and reviewed other issues that have come up for the division of police in the last six months, such as hiring new officers, and including the 2019 death of 13-year-old Tamia Chappman of East Cleveland. 

Ideastream Public Media reporter Matt Richmond follows criminal justice issues and reported on this hearing. He joins the "Sound of Ideas" to discuss and explain what's in effect, as well as what happens next with the consent decree. 

Later this hour, comedian and popular Wait Wait Don't Tell me contestant Paula Poundstone is performing in Cleveland this Friday at the Ohio Theater in Playhouse square. We'll hear Rick Jackson's conversation with her.

And, we'll remember two Kent State civil rights activists who died earlier this year. 

-Matt Richmond, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media
-Paula Poundstone, Comedian 
-Mark Urycki, Freelance Reporter