Council appoints Emma Umison as advocates cite commission vacancies and allege misconduct

Cleveland City Council voted 12-0 on May 19 to appoint Emma Umison to the Community Police Commission, filling one of the vacancies the commission said has hampered its work. The council suspended rules and approved Resolution No. 680Dash2025 placing Umison on the commission.

The commission and members of the public told council the vacancies have limited the commission’s ability to staff committees, deliver training and complete its work. “We currently still have 2 of our 13 vacancies that are still open,” Community Police Commission co-chair John Adams said during public comment. He told council the first vacancy “has been open since 12/05/2024” and described that as “165 days in total, which is 105 days past the 60 days that are allowed, by the city charter.”

Others urged faster appointments and raised concerns about internal misconduct. “Once you survive 1 scandal with the city, you become invincible,” former commissioner Terry Wong said, describing alleged retaliation and problems at the commission involving its former executive director. Wong urged the public to attend a special commission meeting scheduled Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Co-chair Sharina Zaid also pressed the council to move on outstanding appointments, saying the vacancies reduce staff capacity and leave community members without representation. “Every single day that these commissioners are not in place, certain community members aren't being represented, and their voices aren't being heard,” Zaid said.

The council’s formal action came later in the meeting when members voted on the resolution approving Emma Umison’s appointment. A motion to suspend the rules and place the resolution on final passage was made by Council Member Bishop and seconded by Council Member Slife; the roll call showed 12 ayes and no nays. The resolution text identifies the appointment but does not change the commission’s bylaws; the vote was an administrative appointment rather than a legislative change.

The public comments and commission leaders described operational impacts they attribute to the vacancies including delayed training for incoming commissioners, understaffed committees and a heavier workload for existing commissioners. John Adams said the two vacancies affect committee staffing and the commission’s ability to carry out its chartered duties.

No council member offered new policy language during the meeting to change appointment timing or enforcement mechanisms for the charter window. The commission and community speakers asked the council to accelerate remaining appointments and to provide clarity on outstanding candidate issues.

The appointment resolves one outstanding seat but—according to the commission speakers—two vacancies remained an issue at the time of these comments. The commission scheduled a special meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m.; members of the public and commissioners encouraged attendance to observe commission business and any follow-up on the complaints cited during public comment.