Cleveland’s struggle to diversify its police force

By Here & Now
A new class of police officers lines up in Cleveland City Hall in 2015.
A new class of police officers lines up in Cleveland City Hall in 2015. Nick Castele/ideastream
A new class of police officers lines up in Cleveland City Hall in 2015.
A new class of police officers lines up in Cleveland City Hall in 2015. Nick Castele/ideastream

Cleveland’s struggle to diversify its police force

By Here & Now
WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.
A new class of police officers lines up in Cleveland City Hall in 2015. (Nick Castele/ideastream)

Two independent investigations have found that police were acting reasonably in the shooting death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. Rice, who was African-American, was carrying an airsoft pellet gun when he was shot by a white police officer in November 2014. A grand jury will decide whether the officer will face criminal charges.

Cleveland is now carrying out its police reform agreement with the Justice Department to diversify its police force and bring in more African-Americans, Hispanics and women. Nick Castele of Here & Now contributor WCPN reports that the city’s long history of police using force on black citizens makes it difficult to recruit.

— via Here & Now