Scene has received reports that the notoriously Frollo-faced Cleveland Police Chief Mike McGrath has responded to a resignation request from the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association — responded like a child.
According to an officer, McGrath cut the cable and TV in all police buildings the day after he was asked to step down. Many officers were watching a football game when the screens turned to static.
Each Cleveland police officer pays five dollars a month for water, coffee and TV at their stations, and the department has paid $70,000 for a video conferencing system (connected to the TVs). All the electronics were turned off. The feeling among police personnel is that McGrath was getting back at them.
The CPPA’s request, delivered publicly at a press conference last week, accused McGrath of insufficient support during and after the November police chase which resulted in the deaths of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams.
Officers believe McGrath has made decisions to appease the public without knowing the facts. They claim that he’s been a disappointment “since the beginning of the incident.” They said they “no longer have confidence in his ability to lead.”
Union President Jeff Folmer said morale was at an all-time low, but perhaps he spoke too soon. Now that the cable’s gone, it’s safe to assume morale has dipped even lower.
What’s next, McGrath? Donut ban?
This article appears in Feb 6-12, 2013.
what the hell did all you involved in the chase expect. you all had to know that there were going to be alot of questions. i agree that the purps should have stopped. all McGrath is doing is his job, anyone who thinks he does’nt care about his fellow officer’s is completely nut’s.
Let me get this right.
Us T A X P A Y E R S are paying these Po-LICE to watch television, and drink coffee ?
They were watching a football game ?
It sure as hell costs me more than $5.00 a month for coffee, water (wanna see my water and sewer bill ? ) and cable TV.
What about the Po-LICE that DONT pay the $ 5.00 a month ?
Are they Welfare Po-LICE ?
Who bought the coffee makers ? Who bought the coffee filters ?
Why the hell do they have Cable Television and watching football games on the T A X P A Y E R S hard earned dollars when they are supposed to be WORKING in the first damned place ??
And these Po-LICE wonder why no one has respect for them.
Ok since the PA said he is responding to the public, what about the fact that 59 police cars followed 1 (one) suspect car down a main thoroughfare during rush hour? What about the fact that over 140 shots were fired at this car, mostly missing? (However, enough hit the car to kill the 2 individuals inside.) What about the fact that the whole incident is like a keystone cops scene that ended tragically for the supposed suspects? What about the fact that all these cops put innocent people in harm’s way because some of them can’t tell the difference between backfire and gunfire? Until CP gets honest and RIGHTEOUSLY responds to events with caution (guilty suspects or not) we will continue to have these shoot-outs in which ‘good cops who are under so much pressure’ make huge mistakes where suspects get killed. Signing out until the next episode.
Actually, it was the union chief who held a press conference – flanked by his gangster-looking crew – who instantly declared the chase and shooting exemplary police work, the model for how police should do things, and a great shooting, before he knew the facts. And he hasn’t revised his opinion one little bit as facts have come out, including the revelation that one of the officers kept reloading and reloading to unload 50 bullets into the two unarmed suspects, and the revelation that these keystone cops nearly shot each other to death.
As for the televisions, the police are not paid to sit around watching sports and Jersey Shore all day and night long. About time a stop was put to that. (And what football game was on last Thursday?)
So, no video games or TV for a week? Aww mannn…..