Arbitrator Daniel Zeiser has issued an award reducing a ten day suspension to five days for a police officer for conduct related to the shooting of Tamir Rice. Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association and City of Cleveland. The grievant was not the officer who shot Rice, and the discipline did not involve the shooting directly. Arbitrator Zeiser noted specifically:
The Arbitrator believes it is important to note that the discipline and this grievance, while they stem from the tragic shooting of Tamir Rice, are not based on the actual fatal shooting. That is to say, the Grievant was not disciplined for any use of force that resulted in Tamir Rice’s death. The use of force issue was determined by the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury and Prosecutor. The discipline in question here was set forth in the three charging letters:
Specification #1: On November 22, 2014, you…did not employ proper tactics when you operated the zone car up to what was reported to be an armed suspect thereby violating the Policy of General Police Order 2.1.01.