Cleveland police review board gets poor evaluation in survey

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

A citizens panel that examines complaints against Cleveland police is “more symbolic than substantive” in providing oversight and accountability, according to a study City Council requested about three years ago amid high-profile investigations into police actions.

It’s the first study in more than 20 years to evaluate the city’s use of the review board, which can make recommendations about discipline after a special office in the police department investigates complaints, according to The Plain Dealer.

The newspaper reports that about 80 percent of the 163 people who responded to a survey said complaints filed were not thoroughly investigated. About 80 percent also said they were not informed of the status of complaints.

About 70 percent said complaints weren’t investigated promptly, and about 60 percent said they didn’t have adequate opportunity to present complaints.

The board was formed in 1984. City Council in 2007 set aside $20,000 for the review by Cleveland State University Assistant Professor Ronnie Dunn, who sent surveys to 1,190 of the roughly 4,300 people who filed complaints from 2000 to 2007.