BY LAURA GOLDBERG
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Sentinel Police Association, an organization of African-American Cincinnati police officers, presented to city council Wednesday a 12-point plan aimed at improving police-community relations.

It includes community advisory panels, added supervisor positions, and closer monitoring of officers involved in two "use of force" events within 12 months.

Sentinel President Lt. Clarence Williams also asked the city to invite the Justice Department's mediation and conciliation service to help resolve race-related issues between police and the community, and within the police division.

Council voted 9-0 to direct the administration to ask federal officials for help.

Mr. Williams stressed that African-Americans are not "anti-police." "We support good police officers," he said. "The Sentinel Police Association has struggled over the years to improve police-community relations, and we (are calling) for community healing around a number of law enforcement issues that have adversely affected our city."

According to the safety department, 250 of the city's 984 officers are black.

Among the plan's provisions:

• Community advisory panels throughout the division, including for oral interviews for district commanders, officers and recruits; and for policy in each district.

• A citizens training advisory committee.

• A citizens review panel to make recommendations on all use-of-force complaints. It would have subpoena power and get all investigative reports.

• Electronic stunning devices in all cars and creation of special "emergency response teams."

• Adding sergeant and captain positions.

• All officers with two events involving use of force needed to carry out an arrest within a 12-month period placed on administrative duty and evaluated by the police division psychologist.

• Supervisors called to all disorderly conduct incidents resulting in a physical arrest or citation.

• Residency requirements or incentives for officers.

"The suggestions are thoughtful and are a positive approach to mending the rift that exists between some members of the community and the police division," said Mayor Roxanne Qualls.