CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland officials will suspend 63 police officers for their roles in a November high-speed chase that left two unarmed suspects dead after a maelstrom of police gunfire.
The officers are not among the 13 who on Nov. 29 collectively fired 137 rounds at Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams near an East Cleveland middle school after the suspects led police on a full-tilt pursuit.
Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath said 178 suspension days will be distributed among 63 officers who violated police protocol when they participated in the chase. The maximum suspension will be 10 days, McGrath said.
“Under a stressful, tactful situation, it’s more important to follow your rules and procedures than ever before, or you may have some type of chaos or problems,” McGrath said.
Two more officers will receive disciplinary letters. Nine others will receive non-disciplinary letters of instruction, McGrath said.
