CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Police Officer Michael Brelo has been through a three-year ordeal.
In May, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell found him not guilty of any criminal charges in connection with the deaths of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams.
Brelo fired 49 of the 137 shots at the end of a crosstown chase back in November 2012. He jumped on a car hood, firing down into the suspects' car.
Prosecutors called those excessive Rambo tactisc.
Brelo told investigators he was afraid for his life, but did not testify at his own trial.
Now Brelo is beginning the disciplinary process to see if the city and the police department will punish or perhaps fire him for policy violations during the incident that could have endangered other officers as well as him.
The city is not commenting.
Cleveland Police Union lawyer Henry Hilow claims the city has not discussed its intentions.
Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association President Steve Loomis sent a letter, stating:
"Our expectation and hope was that these would be independent, fair, and impartial hearings. That hope is tempered by the fact the former Chief of Police is presiding over these hearings. Given the conclusions of the Attorney General's investigation, the ex-Chief of Police and current Safety Director should not have any role in deciding these matters.
In addition, because there are lawsuits from certain officers pending against the Safety Director, he should have voluntarily recused himself from further involvement. Our hope for fairness and impartiality was apparently in vain."
Hilow says Brelo and 12 other officers want to be returned to the same status and duty they had before the incident happened.
He claims Brelo has been through enough.
On Friday, the union hustled Brelo in and out of a scheduled hearing, avoiding cameras and reporters.
The union also claims that Cleveland Safety Director Michael McGrath should not be the one recommending punishment.
McGrath was chief when the incident happened and critics, including Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, pointed fingers of blame in his direction.
Hilow said, "He should probably be in front of these hearings as much as anyone else."
Friday's hearing is being rescheduled to an as yet undetermined date.
McGrath was unable to attend because he was giving a deposition in a lawsuit against him by officers, including some now facing the disciplinary process.
Brelo is also facing a December trial stemming from a fight with his twin brother. He remains suspended without pay.
The question now is, will he ever get his CPD gun and badge back?
