CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association has filed an appeal to overturn the firing of Timothy Loehmann, the officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014, according to the union.
Tamir was playing with a pellet gun outside a recreation center when he was shot by Loehmann.
Loehmann was fired by the Cleveland Division of Police in 2017, more than two years after the fatal shooting, for lying on his application and violating other administrative policies.
City officials charged Loehmann for failing to provide truthful information on his application. It was discovered that he was in the process of being fired from his previous department for his “lack of maturity” and an incident involving an emotional meltdown during firearm training, according to Cleveland police.
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In 2018, Loehmann was hired as an officer in Bellaire, Ohio but withdrew his application after news of his hire was reported.
If Loehmann’s firing is overturned he could regain his job as an officer with the Cleveland Police Department.
Chandra Law Firm, who represent the Rice family, issued the following statement on the appeal:
It is most unfortunate that the CPPA continues to insist it’s okay for a law-enforcement officer to lie on his employment application —that is, continues to embrace lawlessness in law enforcement. Until CPPA comprehends its officers are not above the law, none of us are safe. And Tamir? He never stood a chance.
