CLEVELAND– Cleveland police supervisors are being punished in connection with the hiring of an officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice, the Fox 8 I-Team has learned.
Lt. Gail Bindel and Sgt. Edwin Santiago received discipline. An internal investigation found they didn’t do all they should have before hiring Officer Timothy Loehmann.
Both were found guilty of an administrative charge of failing to adequately supervise and review an applicant’s background investigation. Bindel received a two-day suspension and Santiago was issued a written reprimand.
Both supervisors are appealing the discipline.
Cleveland police officials said detectives did not review Loehmann’s personnel file from the Independence Police Department before hiring him. His Independence file showed he became weepy during a state range qualification course and his handgun performance was dismal.
Police said Loehmann shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice on Nov. 22 in the playground area of Cudell Recreation Center. Loehmann told investigators he ordered Rice to show his hands, but instead Rice reached for his waistband. Rice had an airsoft pistol that police said looked like a real gun.
Tamir’s mother and attorneys want charges filed against Loehmann and his partner.
The case is being reviewed by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
More on the shooting death of Tamir Rice here
