The City of Cleveland has decided to make a policy change after Tamir Rice's estate was mistakenly billed for the EMS service the 12-year-old received from being fatally shot by a police officer.
According to a city memorandum from Cleveland Assistant Commissioner Danielle Graham in the Division of Assessments and Licenses, effective immediately any licenses, permits, insurance claims, or invoices of any type must be submitted to the commissioner and/or the assistant commissioner within two business days of the request receipt. This also affects all pertinent documentation, whether open or closed, that may be subject to potential court activity.
The memo said upon submission, there will be a review and written response regarding next steps by the commissioner or assistant commissioner. The steps will include instructions on the appropriate process. The Department of Law including the director, chief corporate counsel and/or chief assistant directors of law will be required to review and provide a response on all potential court activity associated with insurance claims or invoices effective Feb. 11.
The memo was sent to all Cleveland divisional personnel handling or processing any licenses, permits, insurance claims or invoices. That included all staffing in the Licenses and Permits Unit, City Services Billing Unit, EMS Billing Unit, legal counsel assigned to Assessments and Licenses, and other department representatives in the Division of Assessments and Licenses.
