Natural Citizen
12-01-2014, 11:54 PM
http://rt.com/files/news/33/68/70/00/000_was8883617.jpg
Police in Cleveland, Ohio arrest a protester during a demonstration at Public Square November 25, 2014. (AFP Photo/Jordan Gonzales)
Nine Cleveland police officers are suing their department, claiming its leadership treats non-African American members of the force “more harshly” than others, particularly in cases dealing with officer-involved shootings.
Central to the officers’ claim is that the police department is tougher on non-black members of the force than it is on African American members, Cleveland.com (http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/11/cleveland_police_officers_accu.html) reports. They also claim that their punishment has caused "emotional distress and mental anguish," in addition to hurting their reputations.
The nine officers – eight white and one Hispanic – were all involved in a high speed chase back in 2012 that ultimately saw two African American suspects killed in a torrent of bullets. More than 100 officers were involved in the chase, but 13 ended up firing on the two suspects, Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams, after it had ended.
The 13 officers fired 137 shots. Russell was hit 23 times, while Williams was struck 24 times. Both were killed. Police claimed they were shot at first, but no gun was found at the scene.
As a result, the officers involved in firing the shots were placed on paid administrative leave. Earlier this year, six officers – including five supervisors – were indicted by a grand jury.
Continued - Cleveland cops who shot black suspects sue over suspension, discrimination (http://rt.com/usa/210567-cleveland-police-racial-discrimination/)
Police in Cleveland, Ohio arrest a protester during a demonstration at Public Square November 25, 2014. (AFP Photo/Jordan Gonzales)
Nine Cleveland police officers are suing their department, claiming its leadership treats non-African American members of the force “more harshly” than others, particularly in cases dealing with officer-involved shootings.
Central to the officers’ claim is that the police department is tougher on non-black members of the force than it is on African American members, Cleveland.com (http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/11/cleveland_police_officers_accu.html) reports. They also claim that their punishment has caused "emotional distress and mental anguish," in addition to hurting their reputations.
The nine officers – eight white and one Hispanic – were all involved in a high speed chase back in 2012 that ultimately saw two African American suspects killed in a torrent of bullets. More than 100 officers were involved in the chase, but 13 ended up firing on the two suspects, Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams, after it had ended.
The 13 officers fired 137 shots. Russell was hit 23 times, while Williams was struck 24 times. Both were killed. Police claimed they were shot at first, but no gun was found at the scene.
As a result, the officers involved in firing the shots were placed on paid administrative leave. Earlier this year, six officers – including five supervisors – were indicted by a grand jury.
Continued - Cleveland cops who shot black suspects sue over suspension, discrimination (http://rt.com/usa/210567-cleveland-police-racial-discrimination/)