By Police1 Staff
CLEVELAND — Nine officers are accusing the Cleveland police department of racial discrimination in the wake of the deadly November 2012 pursuit that resulted in 137 shots fired and two people dead.
According to Cleveland.com, one Hispanic and eight white officers have filed a lawsuit claiming the department treats non-black officers involved in the shooting of black suspects “more harshly” in the aftermath of officer-involved shootings.
The officers claim the department violated protocol when it placed them back on restricted duty after permitting them to return to full duty following three days of administrative leave and a 45-day restrictive duty period in the time following the deadly incident.
The lawsuit claims the move caused harm to the officers’ professional reputations and prevented them from earning overtime pay, as well as pursuing opportunities for promotions.
The officers believe their treatment was a direct result of their race.
The department has been under fire following the November 2012 incident. 90 officers were involved in the 25-minute pursuit that began when police believed they heard a gunshot directed at them from a speeding car, according to CNN.
13 officers opened fire on Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams, who were killed. Both were African American. No weapons were found in the search of their vehicle. The city settled a lawsuit from the families of Russell and Williams for $3 million on November 18.