CLEVELAND - Disciplinary hearings began soon for 20 Cleveland
patrol officers facing charges related to the Nov. 29 police chase and
shooting. The officers will not face termination, but could be suspended for up
to 30 days. A total of 75 patrol officers face charges related to the chase.
Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath has yet to schedule disciplinary
hearings for the remaining 55 officers. Twelve supervisors have already been
disciplined. One was terminated, two were demoted and nine were suspended for
their actions.
The chase started when a Cleveland police officer thought he
heard gunfire coming from a car driving near the Cuyahoga County Justice
Center. Timothy Russell, 43, the driver, then led police on a 22-minute
high-speed chase.
The chase ended in the parking lot of Heritage Middle School
in East Cleveland. Russell and his passenger, Malissa Williams, 30, were killed
when officers fired 137 shots at their car. Several officers reported seeing a
gun during the chase. No weapon was ever found.