Full Commission Meeting

Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC)

Criminal Justice

Wednesday, March 27, 2024
6:00 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. EDT

4125 Fulton Rd Cleveland, OH 44144 (Directions)

Estabrook Recreation Center, (or watch on YouTube)

The Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC) was established in 2015 as part of the terms of the Consent Decree between the City of Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Following an investigation, the DOJ determined there was a pattern of excessive force used by the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP). The Consent Decree outlined the work that needed to be done so CDP policies, practices and procedures comply with Constitutional law.

Cleveland voters approved amendments to the city’s charter in 2021 that gave the CPC final say over police discipline. Learn more about the CPC with this explainer from Anastazia Vanisko: https://signalcleveland.org/clevelands-community-police-commission-put-discipline-decisions-in-residents-hands/

Commission members

John Adams, co-chair
Sharena Zayed, co-chair
Shandra Benito
James Chura
Audrianna Rodriguez
Teri Wang
Charles Donaldson
Kyle Earley
Alana Garrett-Ferguson
Cait Kennedy
Gregory Reaves
Jan Ridgeway
Piet van Lier

Watching remotely?

Watch the livestream on the CPC’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ClevelandCPC/streams

Attending in person?

Reminder: we add two hours of pay ($36) to the assignment.

Find past Documenters coverage of CPC meetings here: https://cleveland.documenters.org/reporting/?agency=246

Public meetings will begin with a public comment period.

NOTE: This meeting can run 2.5 hours.

More background on the CPC

The CPC was mandated under the Consent Decree to provide community input on needed policing reforms from the many diverse communities in Cleveland:

Faith-based organizations
Civil rights advocates
Business/philanthropic community
Communities of color
Advocacy organizations
Academia
Youth and student organizations
Homeless
Those with mental illness

CPC Commissioners consist of individuals that represent the diversity of Cleveland and a representative from each of the following police associations: The Black Shield, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and The Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association (CPPA).

The CPC works to empower the community’s voice in the reform process. It works with the community to develop reports and recommendations on ways police policies can better reflect community values. Better policies will help ensure policing in Cleveland is safe, effective, and that people’s civil rights are upheld.

Check the source website for additional information

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Cleveland - OH Documenters Team

Note-taking by Monica Doyle

Commission discusses pay inequity for female staff

View notes

Live reporting by Stesia Swain

Commission narrowly votes to recommend member's removal to mayor

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_

Good evening everyone! My name is Stésià and I’ll be live tweeting coverage for todays CPC, Cleveland Community Police Commission, meeting scheduled for 6:00. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

05:16 PM Mar 27, 2024 CDT

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 2/46

The meeting begins slightly late at 6:17pm. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 3/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The roll is being called. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 4/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The meeting moves on to the adoption of the agenda. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 5/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Terry Wang has a few issues with s few items that are at the top of the agenda. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 6/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland I would like to make a correction to the spelling of Commissioner Wang’s first name.
Teri Wang*
#CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 7/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland There is a bit of heated exchange taking place between Commisioners Teri Wang and Co-Chair Sharena Zayed. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 8/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland To my understanding Wang feels that the OPS case should be moved from new business to accountability due to it being repetitive. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 9/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland I am documenting to the best of my ability, however, it is hard to understand some moments of Wang landing the point in this proposal due to Wang and Zayed speaking loudly at the same time. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 10/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland A vote was taken for this motion. Due to more “nays” than “ayes”, it fails. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 11/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland This meeting seems to cover certain things that have already been discussed prior to now. So it is not one hundred percent clear what this case or discussion is actually concerning. I will do my best to get more information. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 12/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Teri Wang is making another motion. As another person was speaking at the time, the meeting is derailed. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 13/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Co-chair John Adams asks Teri Wang to allow the discussion to cease as the motion already has not passed and the meeting has not yet started due to the agenda not yet being adopted. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 14/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kyle Early makes a motion to add a discussion about the salary of the female employees and gender discrepancies to the agenda under “Old Business”. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 15/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Again, Wang and Zayed clash. Co-chair Zayed asks Wang to refrain from speaking at the moment as their are trying to move the meeting along. Wang does not adhere to this request. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 16/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland After a vote is taken with 10 ayes and 0 nays, Early’s motion passes and the discussion of the salary of female employees is added to the agenda. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 17/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The agenda is adopted. Attached below is the agenda for this meeting. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 18/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Teri Wang takes issue with the proposal to limit speaking time. Kyle Earley responds. His Response is recorded and attached below.

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 19/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland As Teri Wang tries to speak again, Co-chair Adams says that this is will be Wang’s last time to speak for this moment. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 20/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland This meeting is being live streamed. To view this meeting, click here and head on over to the Cleveland Community Police Comission’s YouTube channel!

u26043067.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u…

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 21/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Time is allotted for public comment. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 22/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Time for public comment has ended. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 23/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland I will add notable moments of the public comments at a later time on this thread. This will allow me to keep up with the current events of the meeting. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 24/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kyle Earley shares concerns about the investigation of Teri Wang. Earley says that all commissioners each will have an evaluation at the end of their terms, Earley believes that that should be the moment of this consideration. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 25/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Earley refers to the investigation of only one person to be a “witch hunt” #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 26/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Co-Chair Zayed disagrees with this statement and says that these investigations are needed to safely continue the work of this commission. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 27/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The item on the agenda to write a letter to Mayor Bibb to remove Commissioner Wang is now being discussed. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 28/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Benito reads the details of this item. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 29/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland I will be utilizing live tweeting and photo/video to add more real time context where it may be helpful for fully capturing the scene of this meeting.
#CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 30/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Earley asks if the vote is truly necessary if the chair will be writing the letter(s) for the recommendation of removal of Teri Wang regardless of the votes.
#CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 31/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Co-chair Adams answers this question by saying that the votes are not needed for this decision, but are appreciated, as transparency may be best in this matter. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 32/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Ridgeway shares the opinion that rules should be in place to govern the behavior of all Commissioners, not just Teri Wang. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 33/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Co-chair Zayed alleges that Teri Wang has been violent towards others, creating a hostile and unsafe work environment. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 34/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Teri Wang discusses allegations including the allegation that Mr.Jason Goodrich has made “sexually inappropriate” comments to her and labels the actions following this alleged event to be “retaliation”. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 35/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Cait Kennedy alleges a previous email recommending her removal sent by Commissioner Teri Wang. Kennedy also says that at the present moment, Wang appears to be “hate tweeting” about her. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 36/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Co-chair Adams alleges harassing text messages from Commissioner Wang. Wang is heard from a distance suggesting that this statement is untrue. To which Adams says is not accurate. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 37/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland After Co-chair Adams refers to Wangs behavior as a hindrance to the business of the Commission, Co-chair Zayed calls for the vote on the matter. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 38/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The vote is taken, the motion to send the letter(s) to Mayor Justin Bibb to remove Teri Wang from the Cleveland Community Commission passes.
#CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 39/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland After discussion about reports, this meeting adjourns. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 40/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland As promised, I will return to a notable moment of public comment. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 41/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Samaria Rice asked how many cases of misconduct have been reviewed since these commissioners have been in their positions. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 42/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Teri Wang responded by saying two appeal cases have been presented to them. Only one was reviewed. A visible sense of disappointment swept the audience. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 43/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland It was then noted that the commissioners were not at liberty to discuss or answer this question. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 44/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Rice shared that this answer may be important to the community.
This was notable because the community often asks this question and are often disappointed by the answer or lack there of. Community members share the need for the Commission to assert their positions of authority.

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 45/46

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com