At a glance

The City of Cincinnati signed a sweeping police reform settlement in April with the Justice Department - which had been investigating police for civil rights violations following the 2001 riots - and with members of a collaborative that included the ACLU, Black United Front activists and the Fraternal Order of Police to end a federal lawsuit that accused Cincinnati police of decades of discrimination against blacks.

The monitor will oversee those police reforms, as well as initiatives to improve relations between citizens and police officers.

The settlement agreement

• Governs Cincinnati police use of force.

• Includes a five-year police oversight plan.

• Created an independent citizen complaint body.

• Required appointment of an outside monitor.

• Estimated operating cost: $12.5 million.

What it means

• Concrete action following Cincinnati riots of April 2001.

• Addresses complaints that blacks were discriminated against for decades by police.

• Commits police to working closely with community.

• Restricts use of police dogs and chemical irritants.

• Improves investigation of citizen complaints.

• Settlement is first of its kind in nation.

Monitor's responsibilities

• Linchpin for the two landmark settlements.

• Must issue quarterly reports detailing the city's compliance with reform issues, including new use-of-force policies, community efforts to enhance trust between law enforcement and citizens; tracking and monitoring of problem crime locations; and tracking citizen complaints about officers.

• Collect data on when officers draw weapons and point them at citizens.

• Offer feedback and guidance to the parties on how best to meet goals.

• Notify the Justice Department if the city fails to comply with a provision.

• Answers to U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott.

• Will stay in place for five years.