At a consent‑decree status hearing this month, Cleveland officials were pressed to explain the achievements of Shayleen Agarwal, the city’s outgoing public safety inspector general. Agarwal resigned in August, citing a need to care for a parent and noting uncertainty about the role’s structure and long‑term stability.

Background on the inspector general position

The inspector general post was created more than a decade ago under a consent decree between Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at reforming policing. Originally focused solely on police oversight, the role expanded in 2022 to include the city’s fire and emergency medical services. The position is appointed by the mayor and reports to the director of the Department of Public Safety.

Before Agarwal’s hiring, the office sat vacant for nearly four years. The city has also struggled with consistent leadership in the Office of Professional Standards, which handles citizen complaints against police officers.

Questions raised by the federal monitor

U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver, who oversees the consent decree, received a statement from deputy monitor Melody Stewart indicating that the monitoring team could find “no evidence” of work directly relevant to the decree. At the hearing, Judge Oliver asked Cleveland’s legal team for a response. Chief ethics officer Delante Spencer Thomas told the judge that Agarwal’s efforts focused on “re‑level‑setting” the role after the city altered the office’s construction and reporting structure in 2022.

A city spokesperson said Thomas was referring to that 2022 expansion but declined to comment further on the monitor’s remarks.

What the city says about Agarwal’s work

According to a city spokesperson, Agarwal did initiate reviews of several matters, though specifics were not provided. Earlier monitoring reports had already expressed concern that the city had made “no effort … to establish the authority of the IG or define how audits and investigations are to be conducted.” The March report warned that more work was needed to ensure the inspector general could function as a viable oversight entity.

The report also recounted a July 2025 virtual meeting in which Public Safety Director Wayne Drummond abruptly interrupted Agarwal and took her offline for about 20 minutes before she returned and ended the meeting. The discussion centered on long‑standing delays in Human Resources investigations of internal complaints against Cleveland police officers, a problem that had led to settlements with three officers and raised questions about the Community Police Commission’s authority over discipline.

Unfinished investigations and next steps

John Adams, co‑chair of the Cleveland Community Police Commission, said the commission had asked the inspector general to investigate the HR delays, but he has never seen a draft report. A city spokesperson noted that the acting inspector general, Agarwal’s deputy, was “unable to locate the file.”

Signal Cleveland attempted to contact Agarwal for comment but was unable to reach her. The city announced that the Public Safety Department has begun a comprehensive interview process, involving the Community Police Commission, to fill the vacant inspector general position.

Implications for city oversight

The unresolved questions about the inspector general’s output highlight ongoing challenges in Cleveland’s effort to meet the consent decree’s requirements. As the city searches for a permanent replacement, officials will need to clarify the office’s authority, reporting lines, and measurable goals to ensure effective oversight of police, fire, and emergency medical services.

Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.