In yet another blatant example of political correctness, the City of Cleveland, Ohio has fired a 19 year veteran following his bench trial acquittal of misdemeanor Negligent Homicide charges.
Office Alan Buford and another officer responded to a break-in at a Cleveland grocery store in 2015. Officer Buford fired a single shot claiming that the suspect grabbed his gun. The officer was subsequently charged with Negligent Homicide by the Cuyahoga County, Ohio Prosecutors Office. At the bench trial, Buford’s defense attorney successfully argued the Graham Standard, arguing that the officer had a reasonable fear for his life. The Not Guilty verdict was rendered even though the second officer at the scene testified that the use of lethal force was unnecessary and unwarranted.
The City of Cleveland, in a press release dated December 28, 2017, says the officer was terminated after an internal investigation conducted by the department. The release stated, “After adjudication of the criminal case, an administrative review of the incident was completed and the findings presented to the Director of Public Safety who conducted a pre-disciplinary hearing. After the pre-disciplinary hearing the Director of Public Safety Michael McGrath found that Patrol Officer Alan Buford did violate the Cleveland Division of Police Use of Force standard by using force greater than what was necessary during the incident. Patrol Officer Alan Buford, who was hired by the Cleveland Division of Police on August 19, 1996 is hereby terminated effective immediately.”
The Cleveland Police union then issued its own press release stating, in part, “Apparently, the City believes it is somehow fair and just to fire an officer acting within the limits of the law.” A grievance has been filed seeking arbitration under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The prosecution of Buford, at least according to the Judge overseeing the case, failed to meet the lowest standard of criminal conduct (negligence), yet the City deems it in violation of police policy. The City, in its release, fails to cite any specifics of the policy(s) that Buford violated.
This would appear, on the surface, to be another case of political correctness at the cost of a police officer’s career. The need to throw someone “under the bus” to protect the City of potential liability or to appease a segment of the community would seem to outweigh the rights and reputation of a nineteen year veteran of the department.
The case will be brought to completion in the arbitration, but the reputation of the officer cannot be redeemed.