Justice Department cites Cleveland police for pattern excessive force and abuse

CLEVELAND, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The city of Cleveland has agreed to implement sweeping police reforms after the U.S. Attorney General's office uncovered a lengthy history of excessive force and abusive behavior in the troubled department.

"The reality is that there are problems," Attorney General Holder said in an official statement, adding, "But I also think the people of Cleveland should have a sense of hope ... that these problems have been identified and that they can be rectified."

Among the Justice Department's key findings:

-- The unnecessary, excessive or retaliatory use of less lethal force including Tasers, chemical spray and fists;

Excessive force against persons who are mentally ill or in crisis, including in cases where the officers were called exclusively for a welfare check;

-- The employment of poor and dangerous tactics that place officers in situations where avoidable force becomes inevitable.

"The investigation concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that Cleveland police officers engage in a pattern or practice of unreasonable and in some cases unnecessary force in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution," summarizes the Justice Department.

To revamp its department to contemporary standards, the city of Cleveland agreed to "develop a court enforceable consent decree that will include a requirement for an independent monitor who will oversee and ensure necessary reforms."

"Cleveland is not alone in its need to address police reform," Venita Gupta, acting Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"These investigations are keystones of Attorney General Holder's legacy, and I think it's very significant that he is coming to Cleveland with a backdrop of these national issues to talk about community policing and constructive reforms."

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Justice Department cites Cleveland police for pattern excessive force and abuse