A quick look at what Cincinnati's police reform settlements are all about:

What are they?

Two legal agreements. One suspended a federal civil-rights lawsuit against the city that accused police of decades of racial discrimination. The other ended a Department of Justice investigation of the police department. The two agreements spell out specific deadlines for reforms of the Cincinnati Police Department involving use of force, citizen complaint procedures, and the tracking of problem officers, plus community involvement in reform.

Who is involved?

Lawyers for the city of Cincinnati, the Fraternal Order of Police, the U.S. attorney general, the Black United Front activist group and the American Civil Liberties Union signed the agreements in 2002. The agreements are overseen by an independent monitor who reports to U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott.

What sparked this reform?

The civil-rights lawsuit was filed in March 2001. In April, the fatal police shooting of an unarmed, fleeing African-American in Over-the-Rhine sparked days of riots and protests. That led federal investigators to begin an investigation of police conduct. In an attempt to settle both issues, city officials paid for a mediator to talk with community groups about conflicts between police and minorities. Groups included: minorities, city officials, police officers and their families, business leaders, religious leaders, social-service providers, media, community councils and youths. The mediator's reports were used to guide settlement negotiations.

What are the stumbling blocks?

The city has struggled to meet deadlines in both the Justice Department agreement and lawsuit settlement, known as the collaborative. Last year, Judge Dlott appointed a controversial monitor who resigned after a month on the job following complaints by the city, which threatened to pull out of the agreement. It took two months to find a new monitor: former U.S. Attorney Saul Green of Michigan. This month, Green issued his first report, which was critical of the police chief and the city administration for failing to meet deadlines and implement changes. Justice Department officials were equally critical of the city's pace of change. The Black United Front asked Judge Dlott to release it from the collaborative, saying it could not continue to promote an economic boycott of Cincinnati and work on community-police relations. Judge Dlott agreed.

What happened Tuesday?

The police union announced it also wants to be released from the collaborative settlement.

What's next?

Judge Dlott must decide whether the police union can back out of the settlement.