The Cincinnatti Collaborative Agreement: Using Police Effectiveness Research to Reduce Police Problems in the Community

• In Event: Policy Panel: Translating Police Research and Reform Into Practice

Abstract

Following numerous police involved shootings of African-American men and allegations of racial profiling, in 2001, the Cincinnati (Ohio) Police were sued in Federal Court by community activists and the ACLU. This class action lawsuit resulted in a year-long set of negotiations among the plaintiffs, the city, and the police union. These parties drafted and agreed upon the Collaborative Agreement in which the Federal Court oversaw changes within the police, including the adoption of Problem-Oriented Policing as the city's strategy for addressing crime. Despite changes in mayors, city managers, and police chiefs this agreement is still a vital part of policing in Cincinnati. This presentation will discuss the development of the agreement, implementation and sustainability problems, and various outcomes after 14 years.

Author

• John E. Eck, University of Cincinnati