Written and reported with Gabriel Baird
Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath frequently overlooked conflicting statements and other inconsistencies when reviewing uses of force by officers who now stand accused of brutality, The Plain Dealer has found.
The discrepancies emerged as supervisors under McGrath's command
conducted department-required investigations into the use of nondeadly
force.
At least twice, superiors ordered sergeants to correct information
that didn't make sense, rather than perform a more thorough review or
explain mistakes. In one incident, video evidence invalidated an
officer's claim but compelled no further scrutiny.
And in all 37 cases the newspaper examined, McGrath or a deputy blessed the use of force.
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