CLEVELAND — *Editor's Note: The above video features an unrelated story previously published.
Cleveland Division of Police Chief Calvin D. Williams announced Wednesday that one of his detectives has been placed on restricted duty after being criminally charged with falsification and dereliction of duty.
According to the department, an investigation was conducted by the Cleveland Police Internal Affairs Unit. Members of the unit presented the findings of the investigation to the city prosecutor's office and a summons was issued for Det. Charles McNeeley's court appearance.
McNeeley has been formally accused of making false statements to a prosecuting attorney in regards to a victim’s statement leading to a no prosecution. The 52-year-old man is also alleged to have closed a case and, after receiving information on a DNA match for a rape suspect, failing to reopen the matter. According to the office of public affairs, the initial rape allegation was reported in 2019.
In Cleveland Municipal Court, falsification is considered a misdemeanor of the first degree, while Dereliction of Duty is a misdemeanor of the second degree. If convicted, McNeely could face no more than 270 days in jail and a $1,750 fine.
McNeeley was hired by Cleveland police in 1998 and was most recently with the homicide unit. At the time of the alleged crimes, he was assigned to the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit.
The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center issued the following statement about the situation on Thursday:
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is enraged to learn about this case, yet not surprised. We are concerned for the survivor at the center of this case and recognize that this news impacts many other survivors of sexual assault. We are here for you and prepared to support you.
Unfortunately, this mishandled case is not an isolated incident. Historical misconduct in the Special Victims Unit of the Cleveland Division of Police has been well documented. For far too long, too many rape and sexual abuse survivors in Cleveland have been left to investigate their own cases or accept that justice is not accessible to them. This is inexcusable.
For more than a decade, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has been advocating for change within the unit and broader system. The time for incremental improvement is over. Survivors expect more from our police department and criminal justice system.
We would like to thank the investigators and prosecutors who worked to bring charges in this matter and the officers, prosecutors, advocates and medical professionals who work hard every day to support rape survivors. We know you are disgusted by this behavior and tired of this pattern too.
We look forward to working with new City leadership to enact the sweeping reforms that our community and rape survivors deserve. With a spirit of urgency and a fierce commitment to advocate for survivors, we are ready to partner and seek solutions with you. We can and must do better.
If you or someone you love or know is impacted by this news or has questions about a case, please call or text our rape crisis and support hotline at (216) 619-6192 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cleveland Rape Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is standing by to believe and support you.
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