CLEVELAND — City Hall has confirmed a Cleveland police officer is currently under investigation for alleged use of excessive force during the riots that took place downtown on May 30.
Officials say a complaint against Officer John Kazimer is currently being looked into by the Division of Police's Internal Affairs Unit. Exactly what Kazmier is accused of was not specified, and the statement did not say whether he has been placed on modified duty or not.
The incidents downtown last month stemmed from the protests against George Floyd's killing in Minneapolis, but while most demonstrators were peaceful, violence soon broke out that saw multiple businesses damaged and looted. The division confirms officers that day were given permission to use force following tense clashes at the Justice Center, but it appears Kazimer may be accused of stepping over that line.
This investigation comes just one day after the retirement of Public Safety Director and former Police Chief Michael McGrath. McGrath served with the division in one capacity or another for almost four decades, but his tenure in the top post (beginning in 2014) also saw chapters such as the police killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice along with multiple investigations critical of the department's use of force tactics.
Assistant Director of Public Safety Karrie Howard will serve as acting director for the time being, and the city says both he and Chief Calvin D. Williams are accepting all information on possible use of force complaints. Anyone with such information is asked to immediately call Internal Affairs at (216) 623-6289.