Council committee forwards nine mayoral nominees for Cleveland Police Commission after interviews; Jackson interviewed at council request

The council’s mayoral appointments committee voted to forward nine nominees for the Cleveland Police Commission to the full City Council for individual votes after interviews on Tuesday, and held a separate interview with Richard M. Jackson, a candidate put forward by the Black Shield organization at the council’s request.

The action moves the nine mayoral recommendations to the council floor for consideration tonight; Jackson’s interview was conducted so the council could hear from a Black Shield representative before any final decisions are made. The nominees the mayor submitted, as read at the hearing, are Chandra Benito, Maya Kinkade, Sheila Mason, Tara Coleman, Sherina Zayed, Michael Nelson, Antaya Miller, Moragarin and Imo Umosin.

The committee’s interviews focused on several recurring issues that will shape how the commission carries out oversight: the Cleveland Police Commission’s internal dysfunction and public image, the use of drones and other surveillance tools, police staffing targets, the commission’s discipline policy, and an outstanding search for a permanent executive director.

Shandra Morita Benito, a social worker and a…