Northeast Ohio families from those killed by city officials joined the conversation.
CLEVELAND – A night of emotional words and calls for change from parents who have lost children to police violence was hosted by the United Way of Cleveland and the NAACP on the city Consent Issue.
It’s a series that is hosted online. The topic of the conversation on Thursday: Families and communities build resilience.
Family members who have lost their loved ones’ lives to Cleveland police officers are demanding the city’s approval decree, demanding more than just an agreement. Knowing firsthand what it is like to have an officer’s life stolen, they say the justice they have been given is not the justice they deserve.
“It’s a fight for me every day,” said Samaria Rice, whose 12-year-old son Tamir was shot dead by police in 2014.
“An agreement has been reached,” added Bernadette Rolen. “That’s fine, but the officers are still out there. You are free.”
Role’s son Daniel Ficker was shot dead by a Cleveland police officer in Parma in 2007. Rolen fought for five years to settle more than $ 2 million.
“A comparison is not fair. That is not justice, ”she complained. “Justice would be a cop who pays for the crimes they have committed.”
The consent decree is an agreement between the City of Cleveland and the US Department of Justice that six years ago required the police to make policy changes that would better serve the community.
“We need accountability,” said Rice. “My therapy is to make sure another mother doesn’t have to go through this.”
Families not only want to see a change in the discipline of officials, but also how officials react to specific cases.
“Let them know that they are not above the law,” said Brenda Bickerstaff, whose brother Craig was killed in 2002. “This is when we start to get changes.”
“[We need a] Special unit that deals with domestic problems, “said Rice.
While there have been changes, not everyone agrees how real progress can be made. In March, Cleveland Public Safety Director Karrie Howard fired four officers and suspended another after investigating various incidents, however these steps have been criticized by the police union.
“It’s a shame to see what the city of Cleveland is going through,” said Det. Jeff Follmer, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, last week after officers were laid off fearful to do our job while supervisors feared make their calls and get their jobs done. “
3News contacted City Hall, but officials declined to comment. Meanwhile, parents like Bernadette Rolen remain optimistic.
“We know that changes are possible,” she said on Wednesday.
Dr. Victoria Winbush of Cleveland State University also said an open community is one of the most important ways to make change happen. The city and the local US Attorney’s Office are also working to fill two posts for the Cleveland Police Commission (CPC), which oversees police practices and reform.
3NEWS EXAMINED: Would better police training prevent excessive use of force?
