{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1535", "Rep. Fudge Statement on the Department of Justice Investigation of the Cleveland Police Department", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Marcia Fudge", "F000455", "fudge.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "REP. FUDGE STATEMENT ON THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REVIEW\r\n\tOF THE CLEVELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced results of its review of City of Cleveland Division of Police policies and practices related to unequal treatment, including the use of excessive force, racial discrimination and police pursuits:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI thank Attorney General Holder and the Department of Justice for conducting a thorough review that addresses important systemic changes needed in the Cleveland Police Department,\u201c said Congresswoman Fudge.\u00a0 \u201cI also commend Mayor Frank Jackson and the City of Cleveland for its cooperation and assistance during the review.\u00a0 Clearly, we all have a strong interest in providing a safe community for every citizen and law enforcement officer.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI initially contacted the Department of Justice in December, 2012 following the tragic high speed police pursuit of two unarmed Cleveland residents, Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams. That pursuit ended with police officers firing 137 bullets, causing the death of both individuals.\u00a0 At the time, I requested an independent review of not only the facts of that case but one that examined patterns and practices within the Cleveland Division of Police that had generated long-standing complaints by citizens of violations of their civil rights.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIn August 2014, following unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, I again wrote to Attorney General Holder and identified specific steps that would end excessive use of force practices and improve police-community relations in Cleveland.\u00a0 I am pleased that in its findings, the Justice Department recognizes the critical importance of stronger community engagement, the need for greater accountability, a role for police unions in implementation of any future agreement and other practical steps to address systemic concerns.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI believe the Justice Department\u2019s findings and recommendations, when fully implemented, will lead to a safer community and restore hope that we can break from the past and create a better future that serves all citizens with fairness and justice.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tClick here to see a copy of Rep. Fudge\u2019s December 11, 2012 letter Click here to see a copy of the DOJ response to Rep. Fudge\r\n\r\n\tClick here to see a copy of Rep. Fudge\u2019s August 25, 2014 letter\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1535"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9212326258420944, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}