Cleveland safety advisor Phillip McHugh has resigned

Dear Cleveland Residents,


I am writing to inform you of the decision of Philip McHugh to resign from his role in the Department of Public Safety and to step down from the administration effective immediately. 



I understand that the hiring of Phil has evoked pain within our community. I have heard your concerns and acknowledge that situations like these are hard – as a leader, as a resident, and as a Black man. The issues of race, discrimination and privilege that have been raised are complex and nuanced, and I've been grappling with how to best navigate and address them.



As a Black man born and raised in Cleveland, with grandparents from the segregated South who instilled in me a deep commitment to civil rights and social justice, I ran for Mayor of Cleveland with a vision of creating equitable change. I believe in the power of effective leadership and diverse perspectives to address the most pressing, complex issues facing our community. First and foremost of these is public safety. I know that if we cannot get this right, nothing else matters.



I have said from the beginning that our city is in need of smart and talented individuals to help us modernize public safety and address the evolving challenges we face. The complexities of public safety require innovative solutions, data-driven strategies, and a collaborative approach that leverages the expertise and insights of a diverse range of professionals. Since meeting Phil, I have known him to be this type of leader. However, Phil recognizes that his past has led to a distraction as well as concern from our community and my staff. It became clear to Phil that he will not be able to be effective in this environment. Still, I remain committed to delivering these solutions for Clevelanders so they have the level of service they deserve.



Every day I wake up, I’m focused on the safety of our residents. It's a pivotal moment in our city where we have the opportunity to make a real difference, and I'm committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that we do.



My commitment is unwavering and I need each and every one of you to continue to help us in that cause. 



I am here for you and I am here with you.

Mayor Bibb,

I am writing to inform you that I will be resigning from my position as Senior Advisor for Public Safety with the City of Cleveland, effective with the close of business today, May 9, 2024. While it has been an honor to join your administration, the politically motivated smear campaign initiated against me by select members of the City Council and the media has made it nearly impossible to focus on the work and to serve the City effectively. As a result, I have decided to tender my resignation.

As you know, I left my position with the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department for one reason – to help you keep Cleveland safe. I uprooted my family and left a personal and professional life that I had spent nearly twenty years building. I made that decision because I believed, and continue to believe, in your vision for the City, and I wanted to help you achieve it.

I have dedicated my life to public service because I believe that government can make a difference in the lives of those we serve. As an officer, I solved problems daily in the community. As a homicide detective, I brought closure to countless families and removed violent offenders from neighborhoods they hurt. As a police leader and member of a chief’s personal staff, I was the architect of citywide data and intelligence-led violent crime reduction strategies that are still being implemented to this day. These initiatives have resulted in significant reductions in violent crime in DC so far this year.

As you know, in my entire law enforcement career, I have never had a citizen complaint sustained and I have never used excessive force. I am not a liar and I have never acted with racial bias. Every interaction I had and decision I made was guided by an adherence to my oath of office, the law enforcement code of ethics, department policy, the Constitution, and my personal values and moral compass.

Disappointedly, since the announcement of my hire, I have been attacked and maligned by members of City Council and the media who have made demonstrably false and misleading statements about me and my career. Public servants should be held to a higher standard of scrutiny, and for the last month, I have candidly and truthfully embraced questions about my career. However, this campaign to assassinate my character and vilify me has made it nearly impossible to carry out the duties of the job that the vast majority of the community expects and wants me to do.

It is regrettable that I was not afforded the opportunity to succeed in Cleveland, and thus tender this resignation. I am confident that I would have been able to help you advance your vision for the City. However, I refuse to allow certain disingenuous media outlets and members of City Council to use me as a political punching bag to hurt you and to distract us from doing the vital work needed in their communities. I wish I could have had a fair opportunity to work with you and your administration to serve the citizens of Cleveland. However, I know this decision is in the best interest of the City and my family. I wish all the
best for you and the residents of Cleveland.

Regards,

Phillip J. McHugh

Today, I received news of Phillip McHugh's resignation as the Safety Advisor for Cleveland. This resignation is the best thing for the city of Cleveland.

Transparency is at the heart of Phillip McHugh's resignation. It's unacceptable that a senior advisor to the Mayor was involved in a case in which he was accused of violating the constitutional rights of two senior citizens. It’s also unacceptable that this was discovered only after the City hired him. We must ensure that our city's safety leaders and officials can be trusted, especially with the Cleveland Division of Police still under a U.S. Department of Justice Consent Decree. Hiring someone involved with constitutional and civil rights issues goes against our efforts to improve and reform public safety.

Despite some seeing this situation as a political game, it's essential to understand that all actions taken should be in the best interest of our residents. The role of council is to hear the concerns of the community and my colleagues and I will listen and advocate for the public.

We are committed to providing safer neighborhoods, better housing and employment opportunities, and more quality-of-life resources to Clevelanders. For instance, with the school year ending, we're worried about how we can provide recreational opportunities for young people to keep their minds busy and tackle the increased food insecurity that many of the city's children will face over the summer months.

It's important to reiterate that Phillip McHugh's resignation is not about Cleveland City Council. As leaders, we must do everything we can to improve and preserve the trust in public safety. Hiring Mr. McHugh eroded some of the trust and gains we've made. City Council members will continue to collaborate with the administration to help restore the community's confidence.

I want to thank the administration, including Mayor Justin M. Bibb, for accepting Phillip McHugh's resignation. However, it's crucial that the administration realizes that leadership means doing the right thing. We must put this unfortunate situation behind us and focus on providing Clevelanders with safer neighborhoods, better housing, and employment opportunities while tackling issues like food deserts in the City of Cleveland to improve the quality of life for our residents.