Ayana Explains the Decline of the East Cleveland, Ohio Police Department

East Cleveland, Ohio is a city of a bygone era. The stretch of city along Euclid Avenue reveals dilapidated 19th Century mansions, hallmarks of a town with a storied past, but now desperate and dreary future from decades of fiscal mismanagement and feckless law enforcement. Teeming with civic corruption and a police force that can't make roll call, what once was will never be.

The following sources were used in the making of this episode:

1. “Some attorneys refuse to sue cash-strapped city because it can’t pay damages to victims: East Cleveland police chases.” John Caniglia, Cleveland.com. March 7, 2023. Available at: https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2021/09/cut-to-the-chase-some-attorneys-refuse-to-sue-cash-strapped-east-cleveland-because-it-cant-pay-out-damages.html.

2. NAACP Criminal Justice Fact Sheet. Available at: https://naacp.org/resources/criminal-justice-fact-sheet

3. “11 E.C. police officers indicted on civil rights violations after video captures shocking brutality.” John H. Tucker, Cleveland.com. March 10, 2023. Available at: https://www.cleveland.com/crime/2023/03/11-east-cleveland-police-officers-indicted-on-civil-rights-violations-after-video-captures-shocking-brutality.html.

4. “In E.C., history of police officer wrongdoing raises questions about the department’s culture, experts say.” Cory Shaffer, Cleveland.com. 09/26/2022. Available at: https://www.cleveland.com/crime/2022/09/in-east-cleveland-history-of-police-officer-wrongdoing-raises-questions-about-the-departments-culture-experts-say.html&subscribed=google-oauth2%7C104906410223504022205.

5. “Six Cleveland officers sacked after 137 shots killed two unarmed black people.” The Guardian.com. January 26, 2016. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/27/cleveland-fatal-shooting-timothy-russell-malissa-williams-officers-fired.

6. Quick Facts East Cleveland, Ohio. US Census. Available at: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/eastclevelandcityohio

7. “East Cleveland, Ohio” entry on Wikipedia.

8. “Tamia Chappman Law sought to limit police pursuits. Instead, it did nothing: East Cleveland police chases.” John Caniglia, Cleveland.com. October 1, 2021. Available at: https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/10/tamia-chappman-law-sought-to-limit-police-chases-through-east-cleveland-instead-it-did-nothing-east-cleveland-police-chases.html.

9. “Former East Cleveland police officer sentenced to nearly four years in prison.” Press Release, US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio. 04/12/2016. Available at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/former-east-cleveland-police-officer-sentenced-nearly-four-years-prison.

10. “Former East Cleveland detective sentenced to nearly six years in prison, last of three corrupt officers sent to prison.” Press Release, US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio. 04/19/2016. Available at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/former-east-cleveland-detective-sentenced-nearly-six-years-prison-last-three-corrupt.

11. “Three Former E.C. Police Officers Charged with Fabricating Evidence, Stealing Cash.” Press Release, US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio. 10/8/2015. Available at: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/cleveland/news/press-releases/three-former-east-cleveland-police-officers-charged-with-fabricating-evidence-stealing-cash.

12. “Former E.C. police sergeant sentenced to nine years in prison.” Press Release, US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio. 04/5/2016. Available at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/former-east-cleveland-police-sergeant-sentenced-nine-years-prison.

13. “11 E.C. police officers indicted on civil rights violations after video captures shocking brutality.” John H. Tucker, Cleveland.com. March 10, 2023. Available at: https://www.cleveland.com/crime/2023/03/11-east-cleveland-police-officers-indicted-on-civil-rights-violations-after-video-captures-shocking-brutality.html.

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