Cincinnati leaders address police reform, efforts to reduce gun violence in the city – WLWT Cincinnati

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and police Chief Eliot Isaac held a press conference Thursday to address police reform in the city.The conference comes amid protests across the country, most recently over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.Cranely released the U.S. Conference of Mayors Police Reform and Racial Justice report this week, which he worked on with fellow mayors in Chicago, Tampa and Baltimore. The report, which was sent out this week, addresses the "urgent need to reset the relationship between our police and our residents" by focusing on sustainable recommendations. It comes in the wake of the recent killing of George Floyd and concerns about policing and calls for reform. "The job of a police officer is often dangerous and difficult, and the vast majority perform to the best of their ability and in good faith. But the improper use of force can affect the perceptions of police everywhere. The wrongful actions of individual officers should not blight the entire profession. However, we cannot ignore that there are police departments with systemic problems and that reform, transparency, and accountability have too often been elusive," the report states.The recommendations in the report include funding core policing while considering providing funds to other social services that complement the polices public safety mission.It also addresses use-of-force policies, and asks departments to have policies where officers use minimal amount of force necessary by continuously reassessing the situation to make an appropriate response. It also recommends not using chokeholds, not shooting at moving cars unless in extreme situations and not using deadly force on a fleeing person unless they pose a threat to others.The report also recommends increasing engagement with police and the community through programs and other services. Addressing protests, the report recommends more training on mass gatherings and First Amendment rights. It also recommends departments have designated staff who are trained to respond to mass gatherings. The report also addresses police accountability, recommending initiatives similar to Cincinnati's Citizen Complaint Authority.The CCA takes complaints against the Cincinnati Police Department and uses independent investigators and panels to determine recommendations for the Cincinnati Police Department. Cranley said the city has received money from the state and will use $1 million toward police efforts and reducing gun violence. Isaac said he hopes to increase police presence in hot spot areas, including Over-the-Rhine, where 10 people were shot a few weeks ago."Right now we have to stop the bleeding, when we know violence is taking place in a certain area, we have to respond," Isaac said.The chief said he wants to implement "community safety organizers" in the future to engage and communicate with residents. Isaac said he wants to hear from residents on ways they can improve."I want the input, I want the involvement of the community at large," Isaac said. Cranley said he is going to give the report to Isaac and let the department look it over and respond.

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and police Chief Eliot Isaac held a press conference Thursday to address police reform in the city.

The conference comes amid protests across the country, most recently over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Cranely released the U.S. Conference of Mayors Police Reform and Racial Justice report this week, which he worked on with fellow mayors in Chicago, Tampa and Baltimore.

The report, which was sent out this week, addresses the "urgent need to reset the relationship between our police and our residents" by focusing on sustainable recommendations.

It comes in the wake of the recent killing of George Floyd and concerns about policing and calls for reform.

"The job of a police officer is often dangerous and difficult, and the vast majority perform to the best of their ability and in good faith. But the improper use of force can affect the perceptions of police everywhere. The wrongful actions of individual officers should not blight the entire profession. However, we cannot ignore that there are police departments with systemic problems and that reform, transparency, and accountability have too often been elusive," the report states.

The recommendations in the report include funding core policing while considering providing funds to other social services that complement the polices public safety mission.

It also addresses use-of-force policies, and asks departments to have policies where officers use minimal amount of force necessary by continuously reassessing the situation to make an appropriate response. It also recommends not using chokeholds, not shooting at moving cars unless in extreme situations and not using deadly force on a fleeing person unless they pose a threat to others.

The report also recommends increasing engagement with police and the community through programs and other services.

Addressing protests, the report recommends more training on mass gatherings and First Amendment rights. It also recommends departments have designated staff who are trained to respond to mass gatherings.

The report also addresses police accountability, recommending initiatives similar to Cincinnati's Citizen Complaint Authority.

The CCA takes complaints against the Cincinnati Police Department and uses independent investigators and panels to determine recommendations for the Cincinnati Police Department.

Cranley said the city has received money from the state and will use $1 million toward police efforts and reducing gun violence.

Isaac said he hopes to increase police presence in hot spot areas, including Over-the-Rhine, where 10 people were shot a few weeks ago.

"Right now we have to stop the bleeding, when we know violence is taking place in a certain area, we have to respond," Isaac said.

The chief said he wants to implement "community safety organizers" in the future to engage and communicate with residents.

Isaac said he wants to hear from residents on ways they can improve.

"I want the input, I want the involvement of the community at large," Isaac said.

Cranley said he is going to give the report to Isaac and let the department look it over and respond.

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Cincinnati leaders address police reform, efforts to reduce gun violence in the city - WLWT Cincinnati