RISE Success Continues: 338 Felony Arrests and 300 Firearms Seized in New Operation; Police Recruitment Way Up, Crime Trending Down Over Past 2 Years

Numerous Crimes See Double-Digit Decreases, Recruits Entering Police Academy Up 356% since Mayor Bibb Announced RISE Initiative

Monday, December 22, 2025 - Cleveland - Mayor Justin M. Bibb and Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) Chief Dorothy Todd announced results of Operation Northern Harvest - a multi-agency, intelligence-driven effort with local, state, and federal partners over the past two months aimed at combatting violent crime. Between October 15 and December 15, 2025, the Operation resulted in:

• 338 - Felony Arrests
• 300 - Firearms Seized
• 130 - Stolen Vehicles Recovered
• 65 lbs. - Narcotics Seized (i.e. Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, & other drugs)
• $303,980 - U.S. Currency Seized

Operation Northern Harvest is the latest component of Mayor Bibb's RISE Initiative - the most comprehensive crime reduction and law enforcement enhancement plan in the history of the City of Cleveland. RISE is a portfolio of multiple key investments, partnerships and enforcement strategies, technological advancements, and other Administration-led efforts to combat crime and improve recruitment and retention within the Division of Police.

"We had two main objectives when we launched our RISE initiative two years ago - improve recruitment and retention within the Division of Police and enhance our law enforcement operations. Today's results reflect real progress and shows what happens when you take intentional steps to invest in Police," said Mayor Bibb. "However progress is not perfection. As crime evolves, so too must we - and that's my commitment as Mayor - to never stop fighting, and continue doing everything we can, to keep our city safe."

RISE Efforts & Impact - Recruitment & Retention

Since launching RISE in 2023, the Bibb Administration:

• hosted the City's first-ever Public Safety Summit with union leaders and announced:
  • a 50% pay increase for recruits,
  • $5,000 sign-on bonuses,
  • fast-tracked promotions and other wage enhancements for those with a college degree, prior military experience, or previous OPOTA certification;
• increased pay three times totaling up to 34% for current officers - the most across any Administration in the City's history; these substantial increases also made the Division's top patrol officers the highest paid among the largest cities in the state;
• provided numerous other benefits to officers through new labor agreements, which included:
  • shortening the amount of service time needed to obtain additional vacation hours,
  • increasing uniform allowance,
  • changing policy so that officers who leave but want to come back within 12 months will be rehired at their former seniority level and pay rate;
• invested $21 million to upgrade and modernize the City's five police district buildings to further improve working conditions;
• changed policies and streamlined processes to address hiring challenges, which included:
  • raising the maximum age to become a police officer,
  • launching expedited hiring events to improve application and hiring efficiency.

These efforts and more have had a dramatic impact on both recruitment and retention over the past two years. Just 55 recruits entered the Police Academy in 2022 and 2023 combined. That number has soared to 251 total recruits in 2024 and 2025 combined, equating to a:

• 356% INCREASE in HIRING

The investments have also had a positive effect on attrition as well. The total number of net departures (i.e. retirements, resignations, medical pensions, etc.) from the Division of Police was 351 in 2022 and 2023 combined. That number has dropped to 179 total departures in 2024 and 2025 combined, equating to a:

• 49% DECREASE in ATTRITION

"The information reflected here is more than just numbers - they are meaningful statistical facts. Retention is up. Recruitment is up. Crime is down," said Chief Todd. "These results clearly demonstrate that strong partnerships with our federal, state, and local partners, along with the continued support of Mayor Bibb, are producing sustainable outcomes. While the work is not finished, our commitment remains unwavering. We will continue working toward a safer Cleveland."

RISE Efforts & Impact - Combatting Crime

Since launching RISE in 2023, the Bibb Administration:

• started new and expanded existing partnerships at all levels - local, regional, state, and federal - which included Governor Mike DeWine's office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other agencies to utilize additional resources and personnel towards targeted hotspots and coordinated violence reduction tactics;
  • these partnerships led to a new Crime Gun Intelligence Center in Cleveland and numerous enforcement actions like Operation 216, Operation Clean Sweep, Operation Heat Wave, Operation TriDENT, and now Operation Northern Harvest;
  • all of which have produced significant, tangible results leading to thousands of arrests, gun seizures, pills and other dangerous drugs removed from the streets.
• launched a comprehensive Summer Safety Plan the past two years - utilizing data-driven, hotspot targeting through an "All-of-Government" approach with other departments like Public Works, Public Utilities, and Building & Housing to combat violent crime during the summer months;
• brought on crime analysts to adjust operations as crime trends ebb and flow - like the City's recent STANCE initiative targeting car break-ins and other quality of life crimes;
• expanded safety efforts to an "All-of-Community" approach beyond just government, which included working with downtown parking garage and lot owners to add police-approved safety plan requirements prior to receiving a new or renewed operating license;
• launched new and expanded existing technology - including the SAFE SMART CLE program, gunshot detection, and additional advancements with cameras and other equipment.

These investments in partnerships, personnel, technology, and other resources has led to major drops in several violent crimes. Looking back at time periods pre-RISE (i.e. January 1, 2021, to July 20, 2023) vs. post-implementation of RISE (i.e. July 21, 2023, to December 13, 2025), there are widespread decreases with:

• Homicides DOWN 37%
• Robberies DOWN 20%
• Grand Theft-Motor Vehicles DOWN 20%
• Felonious Assaults DOWN 21%
• Burglaries DOWN 13%
• Rapes DOWN 10%

Every category also saw significant drops when comparing last year (2024) to this year (2025-YTD through December 13):

• Homicides DOWN 16%
• Rapes DOWN 28%
• Robberies DOWN 24%
• Grand Theft-Motor Vehicles DOWN 26%
• Felonious Assaults DOWN 15%
• Burglaries DOWN 14%

"I will never remain content and ask the same from our community. As problems arise, we must be open-minded enough to change our ways and refuse to settle for complacency," added Mayor Bibb. "Be a part of the solution and get involved - consider joining your local block club, registering your cameras through our SAFE SMART CLE program, or becoming a member of the Cleveland Division of Police."

CDP will be hosting another expedited hiring event that will take place on January 9 through 11, 2026, at City Hall. Those who are interested are encouraged to pre-register online. Anyone who has questions should contact the Recruitment Unit at (216) 623-5233.

Operation Northern Harvest included the Cleveland Division of Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Attorney's Office, Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office.