Overview

• Mayor Lateek Shabazz terminated Acting Police Chief Kenneth Lundy effective July 21 after a review found his appointment and promotions from 2016 to 2024 bypassed required competitive civil service exams.
• Lundy’s tenure as acting chief exceeded the city’s 180-day limit on temporary classified appointments, violating East Cleveland ordinances and state law.
• The review also uncovered an undisclosed romantic relationship between Lundy and a homicide suspect’s girlfriend that he failed to report to county prosecutors.
• Shabazz, who assumed office last week after an appeals court applied the city charter, is set to name a permanent police chief later this week following a scheduled press conference.
• The move is part of broader efforts to restore accountability in a police department and city government long marred by corruption convictions.