A federal judge wants Cincinnati City Council to sign off by Thursday on a deal that could end a lawsuit accusing Cincinnati police of racial profiling, but some council members have reservations.

        A requirement of the deal — that all information gathered and mediation of disputes over alleged racial profiling be done in private — makes Mayor Charlie Luken uncomfortable, while Councilman Phil Heimlich has said he doesn't think the city should settle the suit at all.

Luken

        “Frankly, I'd prefer that that not be a part of it,” said Mr. Luken of the confidentiality clause. “It seems to me this is the public's business.”

        The mayor said keeping the mediation confidential would hamper the commission he plans to appoint to review police procedures. He said it could also hamper Justice Department investigators who have been in town since the riots following the April 7 shooting of Timothy Thomas by a Cincinnati police officer.

        Justice Department officials are looking at the “patterns and practices” of the Cincinnati Police Division in light of the deaths of 15 black males in police confrontations over the past six years.

WHAT'S NEXT

The proposed settlement is to be discussed Monday afternoon in City Council's law committee. If approved there, it would go to the full council for a vote Wednesday.

        “Why engage in a yearlong process, if none of it is going to come to light?” Mr. Luken said.

        U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott issued an order this week giving council until Thursday to approve the deal. At the same time, she appointed Jay Rothman of ARIA Group — a Yellow Springs, Ohio, firm specializing in dispute resolution — as the court's “special master” to mediate the disputes.

        Scott Greenwood, general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, one of the plaintiffs in the suit, said lawyers on both sides agreed that having confidentiality was best to ensure candid, usable responses from the dozens of people Mr. Rothman and those working with him are expected to interview.

        If police officers, members of the African-American community and others involved don't feel comfortable talking about their feelings, the process won't be effective, Mr. Greenwood said.

        Mr. Heimlich said there should be a public hearing on the deal before council acts.

        The agreement also would require the city to spend $100,000 for the court-appointed mediator.
       

Racial balance of police debated
Shirey closer to losing job
Bush nominates Indian Hill friend
City balks at deal to end profiling suit
Safety is king after proms
Bengals say deal costs $4M
SAMPLES: 'Jackass' stunts
Hospital plans move to I-75
Schools' gain is loss for others
Amended suit cites suicide
Break-in attempt leaves 1 man dead
GOP has no Lucas opponent
Help earns honors
HOWARD: Neighborhoods
Louisville activist says riots rejuvenated his anti-racism fight
Man sought for questions in killing
MCNUTT: Keep it Straight
Mother pleads guilty to teen sex
Nicotine 'cigalettes' aimed at smokers
NKU considers disciplining prof
Patton praises eastern Kentucky
Plea confesses theft in office
Police say man was mailing drugs
Principal acts as schools boss
Republican taking on Rouse
Safety day takes on added urgency
Teens accused of taking police gun
Villa Hills workers settle
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report