Evaluation of the EPD

The Euclid City Council's approved 2014 budget for the Euclid Police Department totals $11.5 million dollars.  That comes to about 30% of all General Fund expenditures that the City Council approved for 2014.




In approving that budget, you, the public, should expect that City Council does conduct some level of scrutiny of the EPD, or, any department to make sure that you are getting the best level of service for the money available.



Within the government structure of the City, the Police and Fire Chief reports to the safety director, which in Euclid is the Mayor.  City Council should have little roll in the day to day operations of any City Department.  As a part time body, we neither have the time, or expertise to carry out day to day management functions.




This is why from time to time, the Council (and Administration) may invite in experts to advise on the management of various City Departments, or, aspects of those departments.   Private firms and state agencies have been invited over the many years to do everything from auditing of City books, to advising on the management of City Departments, to conducting energy audits.  In some cases we have turned the functions of government entirely over to private firm:  trash collection is an example, but, the operations of the Golf Course, and, Shore Cultural Center are also examples.




Why do this?  Simply, governments may not have the expertise to do all of these things to the best it can be done.


Back in 2011, the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police was brought in to evaluate the functioning of the Euclid Police Department.


The background:  In 2011, a series of incidents and issues exploded across the media and at City Council revealing deep seated legal, command and morale issues within the department.  For those of you that remember, it is quite painful:  theft from the EPD property room; county investigation of said theft; suicide of an officer; auto towing lot issues; Fraternal Order of Police vote of "no confidence" in the then Chief Jim Repicky; FOP meetings with City Council.  


All of these things shook the very confidence in the one agency that we need the highest level of trust in.


City Council was blindsided by all of this.   While some of us did hear about potential issues within the Department, in 2010 we were assured by Chief Repicky that the issues were minor, and, that they were being addressed.   Council placed our trust in the Chief, and was burned, meaning that you, the residents were also burned.


In response to all of the turmoil, In Early June of 2011 Mayor Cervenik brought in the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) to review department organization and operational procedures.   Throughout June and July of 2011, OACP conducted interviews with police officials, Council members, and, conducted anonymous surveys of police officers.  During this process, Chief Repicky retired.


In October of 2011, the OACP came back with their report:  a total of 42 recommendations that were classified as "strategic." meaning that they had a direct impact on effectiveness of the force.  While too numerous to list here, many had to do with the culture of the department.  (Please contact me if you want a list of the recommendations).  In addition, OACP provided a summary of comments made by EPD patrol officers. 


In short, the OACP laid out a blue print to rebuild the EPD into a better workplace, and, better police force.


Since 2011, City Council has been given a few updates in which the current Chief, Tom Brickman, seems evasive and, defensive on just how much progress has been made in implementing the OACP recommendations.


Given the past, some members of City Council wants an independent verification on what progress is actually being made.


To that end, on February 18th, City Council passed 5-4, Resolution 019a-14, directing the Administration to invite the OACP to return, and, give the community a progress report.


Here is, in part, how the resolution reads:




1) The OACP made several recommendations for both organizational and operational improvements
2)  City Council desires to build upon the progress made with the EPD since 2011
3)  City Council desires current EPD officers and staff have the opportunity to express their
     opinions, suggestions and concerns for the continual betterment of the department.
4) It is sound management practice to periodically check on implementation progress through an
     impartial organization
5) That a preliminary meeting be held with OACP with the Administration and Council to develop
     the proper scope of services.




The reaction of both the Mayor and Police Chief Brickman were negative.  Not simply negative but, rather defensive, and, in some instances, belligerent.  In fact, the Mayor used his executive power to veto the resolution. 




Why?  What is the harm in having an outside agency, the same one that was here in 2011 come back and report to the community the progress made at EPD?  If everything is truly well, then all the better for the community.  If there is additional work to be done, then, lets get at it.




Back in 2011, the Mayor wanted to make sure that EPD's practices were in alignment with "Best Police Practices" across the state.   Today, he does not seem to want this.  This simply raises suspicions as to what is really going on.




Chief Brickman wants the Council to simply trust the command staff of the Department that all is well, or that progress is being made  The Council did this once before, and, was burned.  We can not allow this to happen again.  Another way to look at it is City Council does not have the expertise in police organizations to know what, if any, progress has been made, what questions to ask, or even what should be best practices.




That's why Councilpersons Gorshe, Delaney, McLaughlin Scarniench, and, me, strongly believe that independent experts, the OACP should be brought back for an impartial look at the Euclid Police Department




Therefor, on Monday, March 3, the City Council will consider overriding the Mayor's veto.