+1(877) 887-3773
What does community-focused policing look like inside one of the nation’s largest housing authorities?
In this episode of First Response, Deputy Chief Victor McDowell Jr. joins host Bob Plaschke to explain how the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department serves more than 55,000 residents across Cleveland and surrounding communities. The conversation challenges assumptions about public housing policing and reveals a department built around dedicated service, consistent presence, and strong community relationships.
Deputy Chief McDowell discusses what “above baseline services” means in practice, from investigations and specialized response capabilities to the everyday value of officers knowing residents—and being known by them. He also addresses the growing demands placed on officers and dispatchers as they respond to domestic violence, mental health crises, and calls where the need extends far beyond enforcement.
One of the episode’s most compelling topics is CMHA’s police-assisted referral approach, which connects people in crisis directly with social service partners rather than leaving them to navigate resources alone.
The discussion also examines accreditation, accountability, and a powerful reframing of trust: public servants must be willing to extend it first. Listen to hear how CMHA Police turns that principle into daily practice—and why its model deserves broader attention.
