Interested in serving?
The GCRTA Board of Trustees will select and appoint seven (7) COC members that represent the diversity of GCRTA's customer base and who will serve objectively and without bias for three (3) years. Click here to review the requirements for service and apply to serve on the COC.
Contact Information
Email: COCinfo@gcrta.org
Check back for updates to be provided once the COC members have been selected and appointed.
Overview
In its efforts to provide greater transparency and community input within the modern policing environment, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) is seeking interested applicants to serve on its Civilian Oversight Committee (COC). This is a voluntary and proactive effort that seeks to give voice to the community and enhance accountability through an independent review and investigation of public complaints of alleged misconduct regarding its Transit Police Department (TP).
Meaningful and Beneficial
Oversight of law enforcement has grown significantly in the last few years; this is challenging and essential work. GCRTA is committed to civilian oversight and working with stakeholders to develop a structure that works best for the people of Cuyahoga County. The COC is an independent civilian group consisting of private citizens.
COC members are strong, effective community change agents that provide meaningful oversight that is:
- Proactive
- Independent
- Community-driven
- Empowered
- Transparent
- Individualized
- An investment in our community
- An iterative process
Purpose
The purpose of the COC is to review public* complaints filed against GCRTA TP employees. The COC shall have the power to receive, investigate, and make recommendations for the resolution of complaints by members of the public for the following types of allegations:
- Harassment alleging bias, discrimination, and/or profiling
- Excessive force
- Illegal search and seizure of a person or vehicle
- Insufficient or lack of service
- Missing or damaged property
- Misconduct
*Internal GCRTA employee complaints against TP employees and those determined to be Human Resources in nature shall not be heard by the COC and will be resolved by the GCRTA’s/TP’s internal complaint resolution process. The TP Chief of Police or their designee will be responsible for determining which complaints shall be reviewed by the COC and which shall be resolved by the GCRTA’s/TP’s internal complaint resolution processes.
Focus
This project follows the recently launched Transit Ambassador program, and continues to demonstrate GCRTA’s commitment to the community, to build trust through transparency and providing creative support and solutions in its efforts to improve relationships and connect the community.
COC Meetings
All meetings of the COC, except executive sessions held for purposes required or permitted by law, shall be open to the public, and no person shall be excluded from any meeting except for conduct which unreasonably interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting.