Show All Answers

1. It is encouraging to see the Department include a few select policies on the website. Does the City plan to make all of the Department's policies readily accessible online? [Continued]

Full question: It is encouraging to see the Department include a few select policies on the website.  Does the City plan to make all of the Department’s policies readily accessible on line?  In the spirit of transparency, it would be very helpful to have access to all of them, especially those on search and seizure, use of force (all levels) as well as any policies on youth interactions.

Answer: We are in the process of updating and revising additional policies in preparation for posting on the website. They will be added to what is already available. In order to post all of the Department’s policies, we will need time to do research about the most cost effective way to post them so that they are searchable. Posting all of them would total approximately 1000 pages of documents.  In the meantime, the public can request specific policies of interest through a public records request.

2. Where can the collective bargaining contract be found? Will you please make it accessible to the public on the City website?

All collective bargaining agreements in the State of Ohio can be found on the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) website: https://serb.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/serb/documents-and-decisions/collective-bargaining-agreements

3. How do we gain access to complaints, compliments and concerns about the SHPD?

As with the vast majority of records of the Shaker Heights Police Department, records that pertain to complaints, compliments, and concerns can be obtained through a public records request.

4. How are the two citizens on the Critical Incident Review Board chosen? Who are the other 3? Are their deliberations open to the public?

By policy, the Critical Incident Review Committee is comprised of the following: the Law Director or designee, an Investigative Unit Supervsor; the Officer-in-Charge at the time of the incident and two citizen members chosen by the Chief of Police. Historically, these meetings have not been public meetings although any and all documents prepared in connection with the meetings, that are not subject to a privilege, may be made available through a public records request.

5. It was said two of the five members from the internal review are Shaker Heights residents. What is the affiliation of the other 3 members of this review board? Do they work for the police department?

See previous answer.

6. Are the results of the deliberations open to the public? Are there statistics available about the choices the board has made?

Historically, these meetings have not been public meetings.  The results of the Committee deliberations are memorialized in memorandum form and provided to the Chief of Police. These can be requested through a public records request.

7. Who is internal affairs?

Commander John Cole is in charge of our Internal Affairs function.

8. How many officers of color have been hired in the last 18 months to 2 years and how many remain on the department?

One officer of color has been hired from our last entrance exam, that was conducted in August and September of 2019.  He remains with our Department. Click here for the demographics of our department.

9. Is there an ideal racial/diversity level that you use as a guide? If so how has it been determined? If not how do you determine what a successful diversity level is?

We are striving to ensure that our police department reflects the diversity of the community. Click here for our current demographic makeup.  

10. Have we considered requiring a percentage of our officers to live in the community?

There was a short period of time wherein the City did require new police hires to live in the City.  That requirement was dropped a number of years ago for a variety of reasons including being a deterrent to potential new hires who don’t want to move for personal or financial reasons.

11. What is the plan to restore confidence within the Shaker community during COVID? Is there an independent complaint department should a bystander want to report suspect police behavior?

We hope that the information we’ve shared about social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing will help Shaker residents feel confident during COVID. 

All complaints can be made through a Police Complaint Form which are available at the Police Department window at the Police/Court Complex (3355 Lee Road), which is then forwarded to our Internal Affairs Unit for investigation.