Episode 3 of Smoke and Mirrors confronts the distorted mirror created during the mayor’s selection process of the new Community Police Commission. Designed to reflect the diverse voices and needs of the Cleveland community, the new nominees—if seated—will instead reveal a stark disconnect. Political interference and flawed decision-making have sidelined those with personal experience and expertise in Cleveland public safety, leaving the Commission at risk of being ill-equipped to fulfill its promise. Simultaneously, the rejection of the Black Shield’s representative for the Commission, coupled with a pressure campaign targeting its leadership and threatening their livelihoods, exposes the lengths to which political interference has sought to influence Cleveland’s public safety landscape. This episode examines the consequences of these distortions and asks: How can we reshape this mirror to ensure it reflects the community it’s meant to serve, and how can we empower those best positioned to drive meaningful change? Spoiler alert: City Council has the authority to get our Commission back on track.

Recorded and aired at 8am Jan. 8, 2025 on WOVU 95.9 FM.