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1. What resources are available to officers experiencing trauma? [Continued]

Full question: What resources are available to officers experiencing trauma? Are officers ever instructed to stand down or otherwise temporarily removed from active service to receive treatment for trauma or exceptional stress?

Answer:  There are several resources available to officers who experience trauma or exceptional stress.  These resources are provided through the City, the Cuyahoga County Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and there is also a private company that offers services upon retainer. 

There are circumstances when officers are deemed to be unfit for duty due to trauma and consequently relieved from duty. This relief is more often temporary. However, in some rare or extraordinary circumstance, relief from duty could potentially be permanent.

2. Has the City considered instituting a civilian oversight component to serve those complainants who are less than comfortable with the notion that that the Dept. will adequately investigate itself?

The concept of a civilian oversight board regarding complaints against officers and the Department is one of several proposals being reviewed as part of overall police reform. A review process currently exists when officers are involved in critical incidents that includes citizens as members of the of the reviewing body.

3. Do you ask your prospective officers why do they want to serve? It can’t be just about benefits and a pension. [Continued]

Full question: Do you ask your prospective officers why do they want to serve? It can’t be just about benefits and a pension. This is a public servant job.  Also are there plans to have a mental health trained officer to accompany officers on calls? Thank you.

Answer: Yes. We ask this question many times during the hiring process to be certain that candidates understand that, if hired, they will be serving the public.

4. Are there any plans to build a police substation?

There are no present plans for this.

5. I'm wondering if the Shaker Heights police department has received any military-grade weaponry or surplus military gear from the Pentagon or other federal agencies ... [Continued]

Full question: I’m wondering if the Shaker Heights police department has received any military-grade weaponry or surplus military gear from the Pentagon or other federal agencies through the 1033 program or any other similar program?

Answer: Our Department has received equipment from the 1033 Program. Last year, we suspended our participation in the program.

6. It sounds like we have a lot of hiring efforts going on. What does the data look like? How many black candidates, female candidates, etc have joined the force since 2016? [Continued]

Full question: It sounds like we have a lot of hiring efforts going on. What does the data look like? How many black candidates, female candidates, etc have joined the force since 2016? (the year it sounds like this started)

Answer: Since 2016, a total of five (5) black candidates and one (1) female candidate (African-American) has been hired by our department. Click here for the current demographic makeup of the department.

7. When can we see officers on bikes? I think it’s easier to engage on with young people that was as opposed to the tradition vehicles.

Our engagement through the bike patrol has been curtailed by two issues at the moment: the pandemic and manpower considerations.  We still have officers out on bikes, but their mission has been focused more crime prevention rather than in person community interaction in an effort to keep everyone healthy.

8. Has Shaker Heights signed President Obama's pledge related to police use of force?

Mayor Weiss has signed the Obama Foundation - Commit to Action Pledge.