Sheriff earns Justice by Action award

Photo courtesy of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office

CLEVELAND — Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree received the Civil Rights Outstanding Law Enforcement Executive, Justice by Action award at the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) awards brunch July 23. The award is given to law enforcement executives who have “implemented innovative concepts, human relations programs, policies and philosophies designed to further the goals of civil rights initiatives to improve and address all types of discrimination.” Fatheree was recognized for her efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the Office to better reflect the community it serves. She hired the first director of DEI in the Sheriff’s Office history, increased DEI training for deputies and staff and obtained grant funding to improve and expand recruitment efforts to attract more women, minorities and new citizens. Fatheree also was recognized for her advocacy to reform state’s dress code policy for deputies to allow for religious accommodations after her office hired the first Sikh deputy in Ohio history, her efforts to establish a “Step Up” program for inmates with mental health and addiction issues to help reduce recidivism, and her promotion of Capt. Donna Nicholas to chief and Captain Matamba Kaalima to major, making them the highest ranking woman and African American, respectively, in the Sheriff’s Office history. Shown from left are Deputy Chief of Police Victor McDowell (Cuyahoga Metro Housing Authority), Fatheree, Nicholas and Kaalima.