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Remember the version of the #Cleveland #Police Department that showed up at the #Republican National Convention in the summer of 2016? That was then, this is now. Appalling images from the #GeorgeFloyd protest show officers are far from reformed. https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2020/07/appalling-images-from-george-floyd-protest-show-cleveland-police-are-far-from-reformed.html
#Reporter @LeilaAtassi writes: "They were the picture of #constitutional #policing, representing #Cleveland when all the world was watching. Working alongside law enforcement officers from across the country, Cleveland #police managed even the most volatile demonstrations..."
"... on downtown streets with #professionalism, #civility & respect for the rights of citizens. Observers worried that the embattled #police department – then operating under its first year of a federal consent decree governing use of force – would overly restrict protests..."
"... or escalate intense moments into #violence. But #Cleveland #police disproved the naysayers. They made us proud. They deserved the praise they received. That was then," writes @clevelanddotcom #reporter Leila Atassi.
Reporter @cory_shaffer has tirelessly reviewed more hours of #surveillance video of the May 30th George Floyd protest than I can count. He & @LeilaAtassi both report that they saw none of the de-escalation methods used by #Cleveland #police during the #RNC protests in 2016.
"Instead, we see an army, suited in riot gear, escalating conflict... at war with civilians -- calling into question whether 5 years of reform have made any difference at all for a police department that had become notorious for using excessive force on citizens." -- Leila Atassi
@LeilaAtassi @cory_shaffer @eheisig @clevelanddotcom: Can somebody please tell me what was supposed to happen? According to the video I've seen, police officers didn't come out in riot control gear until AFTER the bicycle patrol officers had rocks & water bottles thrown at them.
Please tell me if I am mistaken. I read Cleveland police's crowd management policy the day before the protest. The main problem I saw was that nobody could heard initial dispersal orders. It is shocking & inexcusable that the city didn't have a better public address system.
I got there after the protest devolved into a riot & I NEVER heard a single dispersal order. You have done a great job covering the allegations of excessive use of force. Police officers should absolutely be held accountable administratively & criminally if it's warranted!
Thousands of peaceful protesters left after police started firing tear gas, pepper-pellets & rubber bullets on the crowd. Therefore, I cannot understand how people can say that the police officers actions provoked the rioting & looting that ensued.
I added @eheisig to this thread because he writes about the consent decree. I realize local media outlets have been downsized. But the media in general has not adequately covered the Cleveland police department's reform efforts.
Who is monitoring the monitor team? The mayor & city council aren't doing it. I'm mystified to see the media's reaction because they haven't followed Cleveland police's training & resources, or lack thereof. The riot happened for numerous reasons.
