Cleveland, DOJ to begin talks on police reforms

CLEVELAND (AP) — Negotiations between the city of Cleveland and the U.S. Justice Department over allegations of a pattern and practice of excessive force by police are expected to begin next week.

The city law director told a city council committee today that Mayor Frank Jackson’s administration is analyzing the Justice Department report made public last week. The report leveled harsh criticism at officers, supervisors and the administration for how the police department is run and how allegations of excessive force by police are investigated.

The official told council members that the city will confront problems detailed in the report. The DOJ is seeking an agreement with the city that will lead to a court-ordered consent decree and the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee reforms.