Juleana Frierson of the Black United Front spoke to a Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday and told the assembled business leaders what they didn't want to hear.

        She said that although the civil rights group is “extremely optimistic” about the landmark collaborative agreement on police-community relations, the economic boycott against the city remains a separate issue.

Frierson

        Ms. Frierson's comments came during a panel discussion of the police reform agreement — and the related settlement with the U.S. Justice Department on police use of force — to about 120 business leaders at the Westin Cincinnati Hotel.

        Also speaking were S. Greg Baker, the city's executive manager of police relations, and Alphonse Gerhardstein, a plaintiffs' lawyer in the racial profiling lawsuit that led to the collaborative. WCPO-TV anchor Clyde Gray moderated.

        For the most part, the parties to the collaborative agreement were in rare agreement, saying the city's efforts are on the right track.

        “We believe that the highest levels of the city administration are actually ready for change,” said Ms. Frierson, who as recently as May tore up a copy of the agreement in a protest at City Council.

        “To be specific, I'm talking about Ms. Valerie Lemmie, the new city manager, and even Mayor Charlie Luken. I'm even talking about the Fraternal Order of Police. We still have issues with the FOP, but we believe they're ready for change,” she said. “We're not sure the police chief is ready for change.”

        Ms. Frierson spoke of “inappropriate, crazy things” going on in the police department, an oblique reference to the ongoing investigation of Lt. Col Ron Twitty, the highest-ranking black officer, on suspicion of lying about damage to his city car.

        She also complained that Chief Tom Streicher wasn't seeking public input in drawing up new policies.

        Her lawyer, Mr. Gerhardstein, said those kinds of changes will take time. He noted that U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott has yet to approve the agreement formally.

        “There are going to be days when we're still yelling at each other. Sorry, but it happens. We're going to have to be grown-ups about it,” he said.

        Mr. Baker, too, urged patience with the city.

        “This is a new approach for us,” he said. “It's unusual for police to open up their doors and let outsiders see what's going on. It's going to take a cultural shift in the department.”

        Ms. Frierson asked for help in printing up 10,000 copies of the collaborative agreement.

        “Too often the business community has not been active enough in justice issues. Last April we showed how interconnected we are. Unrest in the poor communities leads to uneasiness in the more affluent communities,” she said.

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