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Cleveland Police Officers Violated Policy In Fatal Shootings

A Cleveland Police report on last year's officer-involved chase and shooting on shows dozens of officers violated department policies. Police Chief Michael McGrath.

The report shows more than 100 officers and supervisors were involved in the 22-minute high speed chase in November. Some cruisers were also found to have not used sirens and lights while driving at speeds of 70 miles per hour in populated areas. Another investigation by the Ohio Attorney General's Office concluded the officers failed to follow established procedures that resulted in the department's overall failure to control the situation. More than a dozen mostly white officers fired more than 130 rounds, killing the two African-American suspects, Timothy Russell and Marissa Williams. Neither was armed. Cleveland community activists held a protest yesterday to demand the officers involved receive appropriate punishment and demand city leaders take action against the use of excessive force. Chief McGrath says officers who violated chase policies could be suspended or fired.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.