Since 1967, when Carl Stokes became the first black mayor of a major U.S. city, his greatest failing has been law enforcement. The Cleveland police force has been racked by dissension and poor leadership. Crime has jumped by 54% since 1968, giving Cleveland one of the fastest-growing crime rates in the country.
Part of the mayor's problem has been his inability to appoint top cops who are able to get along with him as well as with their subordinates. Recently, Stokes chose his third police chief and second safety director. The mayor was...