IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO EASTERN DIVISION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. CITY OF CLEVELAND Defendant. COMPLAINT I. INTRODUCTION 1. The United States of America, by its undersigned attorneys, brings this civil action against the City of Cleveland for declaratory and injunctive relief under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. § 14141. 2. The United States brings this action to remedy a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers of the Cleveland Division of Police (“CDP”), an agent of the City of Cleveland, that deprives persons of rights, privileges, and immunities secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States. II. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 3. This Court has jurisdiction over this action under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1345, and 2201. 4. The United States is authorized to initiate this action under…
Summary: In August 2000, the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice (the Division) opened an investigation into the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) in Cleveland, Ohio. The Division and the City of Cleveland entered into a memorandum of agreement in 2004, which was terminated in March 2005. In March 2013, the Division opened a new investigation into CDP. In December 2014, the Division identified a pattern or practice of excessive force, and raised concerns about search and seizure practices, resulting from insufficient accountability, inadequate training and equipment, flawed policies, and inadequate community engagement. In June 2015, the parties entered into a consent decree, which remains in effect. Fast Facts Case Status: Closed/Ongoing City and State: Cleveland, Ohio Year Initiated: 2000 Year Closed: 2005 Year Initiated: 2013 Year Closed: Ongoing Case Documents Document PDF Link Findings Letter 2014 PDF Consent Decree 2015 PDF
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO EASTERN DIVISION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. CITY OF CLEVELAND, Defendant. Settlement Agreement TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND BUILDING TRUST Community Police Commission District Policing Committees COMMUNITY AND PROBLEM-ORIENTED POLICING BIAS-FREE POLICING USE OF FORCE Use of Force Principles Use of Force Policies Firearms Electronic Control Weapons Oleoresin Capsicum Spray (“OC Spray”) Use of Force Training Use of Force Reporting Policy and Use of Force Reports Use of Force Investigations Investigations of Level 1 Uses of Force Investigations of Level 2 Uses of Force Force Investigation Team and Investigations of Level 3 Uses of Force Force Review Board CRISIS INTERVENTION Mental Health Response Advisory Committee Crisis Intervention Coordinator Crisis Intervention Training Specialized Crisis Intervention Trained Officers Crisis Intervention Policies and Procedures SEARCHES AND SEIZURES ACCOUNTABILITY Internally Discovered Misconduct Reporting Misconduct and Preventing Retaliation Investigation of Civilian Complaints The…
Investigation of the Louisville Metro Police Department and Louisville Metro Government United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Kentucky Civil Division March 8, 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BACKGROUND Louisville Metro Government and LMPD The Louisville Community Recent Events INVESTIGATION LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT AND THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT ENGAGE IN A PATTERN OR PRACTICE OF CONDUCT THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES 1. LMPD Uses Excessive Force in Violation of the Fourth Amendment. a. LMPD Uses Dangerous Neck Restraints Against People Who Pose No Threat. b. LMPD Deploys Police Dogs Against People Who Pose No Threat and Allows Dogs to Continue Biting People After They Surrender. c. LMPD Uses Takedowns, Strikes, and Other Bodily Force Disproportionate to the Threat or Resistance e. LMPD Officers Unnecessarily Escalate Encounters, Leading to Excessive Force f. LMPD’s Weak Oversight…
Summary: In December 2004, the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice (the Division) opened an investigation into the Warren Police Department (WPD) in Ohio focusing on use of force and strip-search practices. In January 2012, the parties entered into a court-enforced consent decree which remains in effect. Fast Facts Case Status: Closed City and State: Warren, Ohio Year Initiated: 2004 Year Closed: 2019 Case Documents Document Title PDF Link Technical Assistance Letter 2006 PDF Settlement Agreement 2012 PDF
Summary: In August 2007, the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice (the Division) opened an investigation into the Yonkers Police Department (YPD) in New York. In June 2009, the Division addressed the need for reform of YPD’s use of force policies, reporting uses of force, investigations of uses of force, handling of civilian complaints, officer supervision and discipline, creation of an early warning system, improved training, and expanded community engagement. In November 2016, the United States and the City of Yonkers entered into a memorandum of agreement, which remains in effect. Fast Facts Case Status: Ongoing City and State: Yonkers, New York Year Initiated: 2007 Year Closed: Ongoing Case Documents Document Title PDF Link Technical Assistance Letter 2009 PDF Settlement Agreement 2016 PDF
Summary: Currently no summary available for this intervention. Fast Facts Case Status: Ongoing City and State: Colorado City, Arizona Year Initiated: 2012 Year Closed: Ongoing Case Documents Document Title PDF Link Complaint 2012 PDF Order Granting Partial Summary Judgment 2015 PDF Order on Municipal Liability 2016 PDF Jury Verdict 2016 PDF Order Approving Settlement Agreement 2016 PDF
Summary: In January 2003, the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice (the Division) opened an investigation into the Villa Rica Police Department (VRPD) in Villa Rica, Georgia focusing on discriminatory policing and unlawful traffic stops and searches. On December 23, 2003, the parties entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) including appointment of an independent monitor. The MOA was terminated in December 2006. Fast Facts Case Status: Closed City and State: Villa Rica, Georgia Year Initiated: 2003 Year Closed: 2006 Case Documents Document Title PDF Link Memorandum of Agreement 2003 PDF
Summary: Currently no summary available for this intervention. Fast Facts Case Status: Ongoing City and State: Ville Platte, Louisiana Year Initiated: 2015 Year Closed: Ongoing Case Documents Document Title PDF Link Findings Report 2016 PDF Ville Platte Police Department Settlement Agreement 2018 PDF Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Settlement Agreement 2018 PDF Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Compliance Report 2022 PDF EPSO Compliance Report Cover Letter 2022 PDF Ville Platte Police Department Compliance Report 2022 PDF VPPD Compliance Report Cover Letter 2022 PDF
Summary: In September 1996, the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice (the Division) opened an investigation into the Steubenville Police Department (SPD) in Ohio. In June 1997, the Division identified a pattern or practice of excessive force; unlawful stops, searches and arrests; and witness and evidence tampering linked to inadequate policies and training, insufficient supervision, and inadequate systems of accountability. In September 1997, the parties entered into a court-enforced consent decree, which terminated in March 2005. Fast Facts Case Status: Closed City and State: Steubenville, Ohio Year Initiated: 1996 Year Closed: 2005 Case Documents Document Title Link Consent Decree 1997 Link