Resident sues over police‑oversight appointments; advocates press council on Tanisha's Law delay

A public commenter reported a lawsuit alleging the city violated charter requirements when appointing civilian police commission members and urged the council to restore effective civilian oversight.

Terry Wang told the council he filed suit in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court alleging open violations of section 1.15 of the city charter related to how members of the Community Police Commission and Civilian Police Review Board were appointed. Wang said documents show the mayor and council "knowingly appointed people who don't meet the charter's requirements," and he cited a specific example: an active-duty Cleveland police officer, Luther Roddy, serving on the commission despite the charter's prohibition on active officers. "These aren't technical mistakes," Wang said; he framed the litigation as a challenge to whether 'rules apply equally to the powerful and the working alike.'

Wang also accused the city law department, led by Mark Griffin per his comment, of spending taxpayer money to delay the case and to try to disqualify his attorney, noting the suit seeks to hold the city accountable if the court finds the appointments unlawful.

Separately, Ayesha Lehi Hardaway asked the council to advance 'Tanisha's Law'—introduced on 10/13/2024 by multiple council members and placed on the council agenda on 11/04/2024. Hardaway said, "It has been 375 days since the legislation was filed" and requested the council explain how it will ensure Clevelanders receive care responses comparable to other cities. She asked what steps the body will take so "Tanisha Anderson did not die in vain."

Council did not vote on the charter‑appointment lawsuit claims or make a formal compliance announcement during the meeting, though the public comment highlighted potential legal exposure and urged immediate corrective action.