Report: Ohio Consent Decree is Likely to Last More than Five Years

The Cleveland (OH) Police Department will not be able to complete reforms outlined in a 2015 consent decree issued by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to Cleveland.com .

A report issued on Wednesday — which monitor Matthew Barge and his 17-member team puts out twice a year — said "the City and Division of Police having made notable and significant progress in a number of critical areas, including, first and foremost, with respect to use of force" but that "significant work undoubtedly remains."

The consent decree agreement between the city and the DOJ came after a Justice Department investigation found that police officers had engaged in a pattern or practice of using excessive force and violating people's civil rights.

Cleveland police Chief Calvin Williams said at a hearing Wednesday that his goal was to finish the consent decree work by the end of 2020.