CLEVELAND — The man in charge of a Cleveland police oversight group confirmed to News 5 Investigators he does not plan to return to the position.
In a text message, Jason Goodrick said he will not return as Interim Executive Director of the Cleveland Community Police Commission.
He wrote, "I am on a three-week leave but will not be returning to the CPC staff."
Goodrick has held the role since 2017. Goodrick says he has a new role in the city's Office of Sustainability.
He wrote that "the Mayor and Director (Sarah) O'Keefe are doing great things in this area and I am excited to contribute to the team."
According to the city's website, the Mayor's Office of Sustainability (MOS) leads Cleveland’s efforts to create a greener, more resilient and equitable city.
Goodrick's departure comes amid his ongoing legal battle with the City of Cleveland.
Goodrick filed a civil complaint against the City of Cleveland, Mayor Justin Bibb, and six members of the Community Police Commission last August, which alleged racial and gender discrimination.
In the complaint, Goodrick, who is white, alleged his title was changed from Executive Director to Interim Executive Director in 2023 and that he was not paid the rate of Interim Executive Director or Executive Director because of his race and gender.
Goodrick's complaint also says one commissioner said he was unfit for his role because he is a "white man" and "abuser of Black women."
Goodrick declined our request for an on-camera interview but shared the following text message:
"My last working day at the CPC was this past Wednesday. I am on a three week leave but will not be returning to the CPC staff. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the many dedicated commissioners and community members who over the past decade have changed the future of policing in Cleveland. I will always be grateful for the opportunity I was given to serve the CPC for so long and I look forward to the next chapter in my career."
Goodrick's departure comes two months after the head of another Cleveland police oversight agency abruptly left their position.
The city's Civilian Police Review Board unanimously voted to accept Marcus Perez's verbal resignation in March:
RELATED: Top Cleveland Police watchdog is out after unanimous vote to accept verbal resignation
Perez was the administrator of the Office of Professional Standards (OPS), which investigates civilian complaints against police.
On Wednesday evening, the CPC released a statement on Goodrick leaving the commission:
For nearly eight years, the Cleveland Community Police Commission was under the steadfast leadership of Jason Goodrick. He stood firmly behind the CPC through it all, guiding us in our journey to becoming the nation’s most powerful entity of civilian police oversight. The driving factor for his unrelenting commitment to making Cleveland safer for everyone was his love for this community and the desire to ensure Constitutional policing for the citizens of this city.
Last week, former Interim Executive Director Goodrick resigned from his position at the CPC. In the next phase of his career, he will use his talents and nearly 30 years of public service experience to work under another sector within the City. We cannot speak to why Mr. Goodrick chose to separate from the CPC, but he remained adamant in his farewell to the staff and commissioners that he still fully supports its mission to ensure policing in Cleveland is safe, effective, and that people’s civil rights are upheld.
From leading the CPC from its inception to providing guidance and advice to its current iteration, Jason Goodrick has been integral to the creation of the nation’s most powerful civilian oversight body. His defense of the Commission and its independence have been critical to the work the CPC has done and will continue to do.
“Jason Goodrick’s unwavering commitment to justice and reform was evident in every aspect of his work. He challenged societal norms, called out racial injustice, and supported commissioners with a depth of knowledge that helped us grow in our roles. His passion and genuine care for people will leave a lasting impact on the CPC and the city of Cleveland,” CPC Co-Chair Sharena Zayed said.
We’d like to note, even before Mr. Goodrick’s departure, the CPC had already launched a nationwide search for a permanent executive director late last year. That process is still ongoing and the full commission will gather for a special meeting next week on Wednesday, May 21 to discuss how to best move forward. Of course, this meeting is open to the public, and we encourage people to sign up for public comment to share what they expect from the next leader of the CPC, something we will keep in mind when reviewing applications and conducting interviews.
Although the executive director position is currently unfilled, rest assured that the CPC remains unwavering in our dedication to serving the community. There is still work to be done at both committee and full commission meetings and we will not put anything on the backburner and sit by idly as we wait for a new ED to be seated.
Remember, there are 11 commissioners in place, ready to divide responsibilities equally to advance our work as quickly as possible. The office staff is still here also, ready to answer any questions or record any comments and concerns you may have.
If there’s anything you need, call us at 216-664-7518 or email us at clecpc@clevelandohio.gov
Together we’ll make a difference in Cleveland.
News 5 Investigators reached out to Bibb's office about Goodrick's departure and the lawsuit.
We have yet to receive a response.
