A group of 58 people representing thousands of Cincinnatians voted Wednesday on the five principles that will become the foundation of a settlement in the racial profiling lawsuit against the city.

        Police officers, youth, and citizens of all kinds stood and clapped as the last citizen input session of the nine-month, eight-meeting process ended.

RELATED NEWS

Complete coverage in our special section.

        Aria Group, the Yellow Springs-based conflict resolution firm leading the mediation process, surveyed more than 3,500 citizens from March to December for ideas on how to improve police-community relations.

        Aria held eight feedback sessions at which different identity groups — from African-Americans and police to business and foundation leaders — further defined those goals. Wednesday night's vote was the culmination of that effort.

        “It will be something we can be proud of, our grandchildren can be proud of,” said Ken Lawson, one of the lawyers who filed the federal racial profiling lawsuit in March. It alleges decades of discrimination against blacks.

        “It's never been done in the nation and we can do it.”

        The five principles are:

        • Police officers and community members will become proactive partners in community problem solving.

        • Ensure fair, equitable and courteous treatment for all.

        • Improve education, oversight, monitoring, hiring practices and accountability of the Cincinnati Police Division.

        • Create methods to establish the public's understanding of police policies and procedures and recognition of exceptional service in an effort to foster greater support for police.

        • Build relationships of respect, mutual accountability, cooperation and trust within and between police and communities.

        Although the racial profiling mediation case — an unprecedented effort to improve strained police-community relations that's drawing national attention — is separate from the Justice Department investigation, it deals with many of the same issues.

        And despite Cincinnati City Council's 6-3 vote Wednesday to implement the Justice Department's recommendations separate from the mediation collaborative, Aria president Jay Rothman said he plans to use the 23-page report.

        City Council's resolution also instructed the city administration to start implementing the recommendations on the use of force rather than waiting for the recommendations to emerge from a settlement proposal from the collaborative.

        Council members who voted for the resolution all had different motives. Some thought the use of force issues were better left to the democratic process than a federal court order. Others thought that going through the legal system would cost the city millions in legal fees.

        Robert Morton, 18, of Avondale, said the process will bring some healing and closure to the city, but that it will take time.

        “This process has shown us there is an answer in talking,” the Withrow High School senior said.

Top U.S. fugitive arrested in area
Bengals retain stadium expert
Sept. 11 evokes echoes of Dec. 7
This is December?
'Tis season to not be sneezin'
College unveils new name, logo
Council votes to turn off cameras after business
Holiday giving off at Urban League
Luken unveils budget plan
Map for change agreed
New Norwood schools weighed
Ted Gregory practiced secret generosity
Tristate A.M. Report
Wehrung case goes to jurors
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Just for fun
Building does the job of a church
Fitton Center plans expansion
Killer asks for death penalty
Monroe road won't wait for state
School: Abatement should go
Clark County deputy fired
Lottery will bail Ohio out
Bush-friendly Lucas stands up to the president
Newport 2101 envisioned
Suspected molester's bond raised after new charges
Tax refund pushes back jail plan