Members Needed for Selection Panel

On June 12, 2015, the United States District Court approved an agreement between the United States Department of Justice and the City of Cleveland to reform the way police services are delivered by the Cleveland Division of Police.  One of the important goals of the agreement is to increase community input into the policies and practices of the police department.

To leverage the experience and expertise of the people of Cleveland, the agreement creates a “Community Police Commission” that will be responsible for:  making recommendations on policies and practices of the police department, including by helping to develop important policies and trainings; working with the communities that make up Cleveland to develop the recommendations; and reporting to the community on the status of police department reforms.

The members of the commission will be chosen by a Selection Panel.  The Selection Panel must include representation from each of the following groups:

(a) faith based organizations;

(b) civil rights advocates;

(c) the business/philanthropic community;

(d) organizations representing communities of color;

(e) advocacy organizations;

(f) youth or student organizations;

(g) academia; and

(h) individuals with expertise in the challenges facing people with mental illness or the homeless.

More information about the duties of the Community Police Commission, as well as information about how it will be created, is contained within the Settlement Agreement found here: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/file/478721/download

The Justice Department is seeking your suggestions into who should be on the Selection Panel.  If you are interested in serving as a member of the Selection Panel, or if you would like to recommend someone to serve on the Selection Panel, please send the following information by June 26, 2015 at 5:00 pm to jena.suhadolnik@usdoj.gov:

• the name and contact information of the person you suggest
• why you believe that person should be considered

Please remember that anyone who serves on the Selection Panel will not be eligible to serve on the Community Police Commission.