The City of Cleveland announced on March 19 that it received 29 compliance upgrades in the Independent Federal Monitoring Team’s 18th Semiannual Report, marking one of the strongest performances in the history of its Consent Decree. The report highlights substantial progress in constitutional policing and recognizes improvements across several key areas.
The findings are significant as they reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen policing and accountability systems within Cleveland. These developments are seen as steps toward lasting reform and increased public trust in law enforcement.
Mayor Justin M. Bibb said, “The findings in this report reflect meaningful progress and our ongoing commitment to strengthening Cleveland’s policing and accountability systems. I am grateful for the engagement and dedication of our residents, the Monitoring Team, the Court, the Police Accountability Team, and the Division of Police. Together, this shared effort is helping ensure that the reforms we have implemented are lasting and that Cleveland continues building a stronger, more accountable Division of Police.”
According to the report, improvements were noted in community engagement, accountability, transparency and oversight, officer assistance and support, and supervision. The Community Police Commission has been engaging with residents through public meetings while reviewing policies from the police division. The Internal Affairs Unit was commended for training initiatives and regular reporting. Transparency efforts included new public datasets on use of force incidents. Recruitment processes also saw enhancements leading to additional compliance upgrades.
During a recent status hearing at United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr. praised Cleveland’s continued progress but also addressed areas needing further improvement. Dr. Leigh Anderson, Executive Director of the Police Accountability Team said, “We are now at a point where reforms enacted years ago are finally being recognized for the change and growth they created. The recognition is appreciated and we continue our commitment to transparent collaboration and sustaining these reforms.”
In addition to these upgrades from the semiannual report, Cleveland recently received another 144 compliance upgrades across seven Compliance Assessments filed by the monitoring team—totaling 173 upgrades recognizing reform implementation.
Chief Dorothy Todd said, “I am truly grateful for every member of our Division of Police, whose hard work, care, and dedication make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people of Cleveland each day… Together, we remain deeply committed to our community—listening, building trust, and serving Cleveland with compassion, professionalism, and integrity.”
The Mayor’s Police Accountability Team reported new partnerships with Kent State University researchers as well as local leaders to advance an initiative focused on trust-building between police officers and residents citywide. Supported by funding from Kent State University’s Community Engaged Research Institute (CERI), this pilot program will include regular sessions on topics such as conflict management and environmental peacebuilding while gathering resident feedback through surveys.
These efforts underscore city leadership’s coordinated approach toward fulfilling Consent Decree obligations by focusing on evidence-based solutions designed to build trust between law enforcement officers and communities.
