Public forums planned as Cincinnati policing disparity data sparks community discussion

Cincinnati policing disparity data is at the center of a new round of public discussions scheduled across the city.

This will be the focus of community forums organized by local advocacy groups. The meetings follow the release of a report that found significant racial disparities in police stops.

Public forums scheduled across Cincinnati

Community organizations are planning two public forums to discuss findings from a recent analysis of Cincinnati Police Department contact card data. The meetings come after a report by Campaign Zero examined more than 472,000 police stops conducted between 2009 and 2025. The report concluded that racial disparities in policing have increased over time. 

The forums are being organized by local advocacy groups, including the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio and the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP, according to reporting by WVXU. Community leaders say the meetings will allow residents to review the findings and ask questions. In addition, residents can share concerns about policing practices in Cincinnati. 

According to WVXU, one forum is scheduled for June 30 at the Truth and Destiny Covenant Center in Mt. Airy. Meanwhile, a second event is planned for July 14 at the Urban League headquarters in Avondale. The organizations say the goal is to gather public input as city officials review the report and consider next steps. 

The discussions arrive at a time when police accountability and public safety remain major topics for local government and neighborhood groups across Cincinnati.

What the Cincinnati policing disparity data found

The report analyzed data collected through Cincinnati Police Department contact cards. Officers are required to complete these forms during non-consensual stops under the city’s Collaborative Agreement, a police reform framework established following civil rights litigation and community unrest in the early 2000s. 

Campaign Zero reported that Black residents accounted for approximately:

• 80% of pedestrian stops in 2025
• 66% of motorist stops in 2025
• A significantly larger share of stops than their proportion of the city’s population

The report also concluded that Black residents were more likely to be searched, subjected to force, and arrested after a stop than white residents. Furthermore, researchers said the disparities appeared across multiple neighborhoods and categories of police activity. 

According to Campaign Zero, Black Cincinnati residents were approximately 3.4 times more likely to be stopped by police than white residents in 2025. The organization said the disparities have persisted. This is despite an overall decline in police stops over the last decade. 

The findings received national attention and were subsequently reported by multiple news organizations, including WVXU, FOX19, and other regional outlets. 

Cincinnati policing disparity data draws questions from city officials

City leaders have acknowledged the report while also raising concerns about its methodology and conclusions.

According to WVXU and FOX19, Cincinnati City Manager Sheryl Long said the administration takes fairness in policing seriously. However, she wants additional analysis before drawing final conclusions. The city plans to hire a third-party vendor to conduct an independent review of the findings. The vendor will also examine additional data. 

Long stated that the city remains committed to the goals of the Collaborative Agreement and intends to work through existing accountability structures while reviewing the report. The Citizen Complaint Authority is also expected to play a role in the broader review process. 

City officials have questioned aspects of the analysis, including how population data was interpreted and whether other factors may have influenced the results. Officials also noted concerns about geographic data and deployment patterns that were not fully addressed in the report. 

Despite those concerns, city leaders have emphasized that the findings warrant further examination.

Community groups seek public input

Organizers of the upcoming forums say public participation will be critical as the city evaluates the findings and considers possible policy responses.

Community advocates argue that residents should have a direct voice in discussions about police accountability, public safety, and the effectiveness of existing reform efforts. Several groups have pointed to the Collaborative Agreement’s emphasis on community involvement as a reason for holding public meetings. 

The debate comes nearly 25 years after the death of Timothy Thomas and the resulting reforms that reshaped policing in Cincinnati. Contact card reporting, citizen oversight mechanisms, and community policing initiatives emerged from those reforms and continue to influence local law enforcement practices today. 

Advocates say the new data raises questions about whether those reforms have achieved their intended goals. Others argue that additional context and analysis are necessary before any conclusions are reached.

Several issues are expected to be discussed during the forums, including:

• How police stop data should be evaluated
• Whether racial disparities indicate bias
• The role of officer discretion in traffic and pedestrian stops
• Potential policy changes following the city’s review
• Community expectations regarding accountability and transparency

What happens next

The city’s independent review could shape future discussions among elected officials, police leadership, and community organizations.

According to WVXU, City Manager Long expects recommendations related to the report and the broader review process to be presented after the City Council returns from its summer recess. The timeline could place policy discussions later this year. This will happen after additional analysis is completed. 

For now, the public forums represent the next major opportunity for residents to weigh in on the Cincinnati policing disparity data and its implications for policing, accountability, and public trust.

Residents interested in learning more can review information from the Campaign Zero report. They can also monitor updates from the Cincinnati Police Department as the city’s review process moves forward.

The Cincinnati Exchange has previously reported on local public safety issues, including ongoing discussions surrounding police accountability and community engagement initiatives. 

Readers can also explore our coverage of Cincinnati government developments and public policy debates for additional context.