Leading the Land: Kevin Kelley discusses Issue 24 in extended interview

Cleveland Council President Kevin Kelley and nonprofit executive Justin Bibb agree on many strategies for combating violent crime and improving the relationship between police and the community.

They both support bringing back neighborhood police stations, often referred to as mini stations. They say recruiting and hiring more police officers is a top priority, as well as giving them more training and better equipment. And they told 3News recently they also want to see police more often pursue suspects in vehicles under the city’s chase police policy.

But a proposed amendment to the city’s charter – which appears on the November 2 ballot as Issue 24 – has become a fault line between them on policing.

Issue 24 would shift oversight of the police department – including policy and discipline of officers - to a civilian-led board and commission.

Kelley is against it. Bibb backs it.

The two defended their positions recently in a public forum sponsored by the young professional group Engage! Cleveland. They also discussed the issue in one-on-one interviews with 3News.

If passed, the proposal would create a new Civilian Police Review Board. It would decide police discipline after investigating complaints.

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