Cleveland officials, DOJ announce settlement restricting police use of force

During a press conference Tuesday, Cleveland officials and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement over what the feds called a "pattern of unconstitutional policing and excessive use of force." As part of the settlement, all of the city's police officers will wear body cameras by the end of 2015, and the department will increase its officer training on the use of excessive force.

"This agreement takes police reform to another level," Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson (D) said, adding that community policing will become part of the department's DNA. "This is a defining moment for the city of Cleveland."

The new agreement will prohibit pistol whipping, firing warning shots, or using force against people "simply for talking back or as punishment for running away," The New York Times reports. An independent monitor will also track Cleveland's progress in implementing the DOJ's changes. According to the agreement, "a fundamental goal of the revised use of force policy will be to account for, review, and investigate every reportable use of force."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

The conference came three days after a white policeman, Michael Brelo, was acquitted of voluntary manslaughter charges for shooting 15 rounds into the car of two unarmed black suspects. Brelo's acquittal led to protests in Cleveland that resulted in 71 arrests.