Five takeaways from task force forum on police and community relations

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Members of the Ohio Task Force on Community-Police Relations look on while U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach from the Northern District of Ohio speaks during a forum Tuesday at Cleveland State University.

(Evan MacDonald/Northeast Ohio Media Group)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A new task force seeking to improve relations between Ohio communities and their police departments hosted its first public forum Tuesday evening at Cleveland State University.

Gov. John Kasich announced the task force in December in the wake of the U.S. Justice Department's blistering report on the use of force by Cleveland police, and the fatal shootings of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland and John Crawford III in Beavercreek.

Kasich tapped former Ohio Gov. George Voinovich, who was not in attendance Tuesday, and former Congressman Louis Stokes to serve as honorary co-chairs of the task force. Former state Sen. Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat, serves as co-chair.

Here are five takeaways from the forum.

1. Overview of the U.S. Department of Justice report on Cleveland police

U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach from the Northern District of Ohio began the forum with an overview of the U.S. Justice Department's blistering report on the use of force by Cleveland police.

He thanked police officers for the work they do each day, but said improvements can be made.

"In this nation we need to be able to acknowledge and thank officers, but when the facts dictate it, hold police officers accountable," Dettelbach says.

Dettelbach responded to a question from state Sen. Sandra Williams by saying the Justice Department reviewed 600 use-of-force cases between 2010 and 2013. The Justice Department did not break down the race of the subjects in each case, but Dettelbach said it is "undeniable" race was a factor in some incidents.

Additional training, updated policies, new equipment, and better community policing procedures could help alleviate the department's issues, Dettelbach said.

2. Discussion about police relations in historically black communities

David Kennedy, director of the Center for Crime Prevention and Control at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, spoke about the violence in historically black communities, and community policing in those areas.

"The single most important fact that I have learned in 30 years working in these neighborhoods is that those of us on the outside focus on the incidents, and people in those neighborhoods focus on the history," Kennedy said.

Mistrust exists between residents and police in many neighborhoods, Kennedy said.

"This is not nearly as much about race as we think it is," he said. "This is about community and the police, and they're not getting along."

Residents want a different kind of community policing, Kennedy said. He elaborated by saying a few individuals commit a large portion of violent crimes, and police must associate those crimes with the individuals rather than the communities.

Kennedy also advised the task force to look into national models that have addressed neighborhood issues such as gun violence and gangs.

3. Public says police must improve communication with community

Community member Richard Romero said police officers must interact more with the community. He suggested having them work with community organizations to help them get to know residents and children.

"First and foremost, a police officer needs to have a relationship with the community," he said.

Alfred Porter Jr., vice president of Black on Black Crime, Inc., said communication between police and the public must improve. He questioned why it took several days to release the full details of the Tamir Rice shooting.

Another suggestion was for police to post their policies and procedures online, similar to the Cincinnati Police Department. Doing so shouldn't be an issue because police procedural manuals are public records, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said.

"I can't think of anything within them that would endanger an officer's health or life or safety," O'Brien said.

4. Residents, officials offer suggestions to improve police performance

State Rep. Nickie Antonio, a Cleveland Democrat who is not a member of the task force, stressed the importance of training in areas such as first aid, crisis intervention and mental health. She pointed to the death of Tanisha Anderson, who died while in police custody.

"That brings to the forefront the need for training," Antonio said.

Other suggestions included reviewing best practices for non-violent intervention, forming a state committee to review officer-involved deaths, and requiring officers to receive periodic psychological assessments or counseling.

Before they're hired officers are subjected to a thorough background check, emotional tests and other assessments, Oregon, Ohio Police Chief Michael Navarre said.

Once they're hired they have access to counseling, but are not required to attend regular sessions, Navarre said.

5. More forums planned in Ohio, and possibly another in Cleveland

The task force will hold at least four public forums before issuing a report providing ideas for how communities and police can build constructive relationships. That report will be completed by the end of April.

Other public forums are scheduled Feb. 9 at Central State University in Wilberforce, Feb. 25 at the University of Toledo, and March 10 at the University of Cincinnati.

It's possible the task force will schedule a second public forum in Cleveland, Turner said. She said Tuesday's forum was planned quickly, so the task force could schedule a second in order to reach a larger portion of the community.

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