The City of Cleveland announced on April 21 the results of an independent review by Sigma Squared, confirming that there is no evidence of racial process bias in the stop, search, and seizure practices conducted by the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP).
The findings are significant for ongoing efforts to build trust between law enforcement and local communities. Fairness in policing remains a central concern for residents and officials alike.
Dr. Leigh R. Anderson, Executive Director of the City’s Police Accountability Team, said, “Stop, search, and seizure practices sit at the heart of how communities experience policing, and this report takes a closer look at the Cleveland Division of Police’s data to understand not just what happens, but whether it happens fairly.” Anderson added that transparency will continue to be a priority: “Our commitment is to keep examining this data openly, and to work alongside the community to ensure that enforcement continues to be applied consistently, respectfully, and in a way that builds trust.”
Sigma Squared analyzed CDP’s 2024 traffic stop data using both raw figures and controls for factors such as interaction circumstances and location. Dr. Tanaya Devi—co-founder of Sigma Squared—and Harvard professor Dr. Roland Fryer led the study. Devi said: “Fairness in policing is a moral imperative — and one that demands empirical rigor to evaluate honestly. While the data reveal disparities in search rates, they do not show evidence of process bias in overall search decisions. We hope this analysis gives Cleveland a clearer picture of where things stand and where work remains.” The analysis found similar outcomes across racial groups regarding contraband discovery rates and arrest rates after searches.
The assessment follows recommendations from an Independent Federal Monitoring Team report filed in 2025 during which it was observed that most stops reviewed were supported by sufficient articulation or reasonable suspicion (95.24%), with probable cause present in over 90% of arrests.
Chief Todd commented on recent evaluations: “The Cleveland Division of Police is committed to constitutional policing, and recent assessments are a validation of our policies, training, and practices.” Todd emphasized transparency as central for building community trust.
To further discuss these findings with residents citywide, community engagement events are being organized with Kent State University as part of an initiative focused on strengthening public trust between police officers and citizens.
Ongoing partnerships among city leadership, academic researchers like those at Sigma Squared led by Dr. Fryer—a MacArthur Fellow recognized internationally—and local stakeholders aim to promote sustainable reforms within law enforcement while investing in safer neighborhoods.
