Cleveland chase cops case churning slowly but surely toward uncertain end

Jackson administration announces discipline for 63 officers who were “outside the box”

"Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small;

Though with patience stands He waiting, with exactness grinds He all." 

            — Traditional proverb

It ain’t over til it’s over.

            — Yogi Berra

Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath announced today that 63 police officers would be disciplined for their roles in the high-speed chase that resulted in the deaths of two unarmed citizens.

The officers will collectively receive a total of 178 days of suspension, with the maximum suspension being ten days. Two other officers will receive disciplinary letters.

The suspensions mark the second round of the city’s action against the more than 100 officers who participated in the chase.

The first phase ended in June when the city fired one police supervisor, demoted two others, and disciplined nine other supervisors.

The third phase will deal with the 13 officers who collectively fired the 137 shots that resulted in the deaths of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams.
 

The highly controversial chase, which began in downtown Cleveland and ended at an East Cleveland school last November, still awaits final resolution.

Most if not all of the officers who were disciplined today are expected to appeal.