The Cleveland Community Police Commission has filed a formal request for Steve Loomis, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association, to resign as a member of the board.
The letter comes days after Loomis, who is a detective, was suspended without pay for having a physical confrontation with another officer. He pleaded not guilty to charges in the incident. The letter does not cite his suspension as a reason for the CPC asking for his resignation.
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Ten current commissioners have unanimously signed onto the letter asking for Loomis' resignation. They say his lack of attendance in meetings is the primary reason for asking for his withdrawal.
"Due to his lack of participation, we are (unanimously) asking that Det. Loomis be removed from the CPC," the statement read. It goes on to allege that Loomis chose himself as the union representative on the commission and is beholden to no one or policy besides the CPPA, which they say is in conflict with the Consent Decree issued by the U.S. Department of Justice last year.
The CPC also cited community pushback against Loomis' involvement with the commission as a reason for his removal.
"A number of individuals and community organization representatives have consistently expressed concerns about Det. Loomis’ absences, his hostility to the Commission from its inception, and his denigration of the police reform process," the letter read.
The letter also discusses Loomis' opposition to police reform and his support of "unconstitutional policing practices" as conflict to the goals of the commission. They say Loomis' comments and beliefs are in direct conflict with the intention of the Consent Decree to advance police reform.
In addition to calling for Loomis' resignation, the CPC letter also asks for a standard that mandates "advancing police reform" as an official requirement for the selection panel and Mayor Frank Jackson when appointing commissioners.
