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. <\/p>\n
\"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.\" <\/p>\n
Among the Justice Department's key findings: <\/p>\n
-- The unnecessary, excessive or retaliatory use of less lethal force including Tasers, chemical spray and fists; <\/p>\n
Excessive force against persons who are mentally ill or in crisis, including in cases where the officers were called exclusively for a welfare check; <\/p>\n
-- The employment of poor and dangerous tactics that place officers in situations where avoidable force becomes inevitable. <\/p>\n
\"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. <\/p>\n
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.\" <\/p>\n
\"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. <\/p>\n
\"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.\" <\/p>\n
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\nJustice Department cites Cleveland police for pattern excessive force and abuse<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"