(Cleveland) - A Cleveland Police officer has been fired for multiple uses of excessive force, while another remains on suspension, after he pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor assault.
Officer John Petkac, who was hired by the Cleveland Division of Police in 2014, has been terminated after an internal investigation found out that that he used excessive force during arrests on multiple occasions. According to the City, Petkac didn't use the proper arrest tactics, and was untruthful in his reports about the arrests. He had been assigned to basic patrol in the Third District.
Officer John Hawk, who has been suspended without pay since March 2020, will remain on suspension, after he pleaded guilty last week in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to a charge of misdemeanor assault. Hawk had been indicted on charges of felonious assault and abduction. He was accused of punching a woman during an off-duty argument. Hawk will be sentenced in January, and could receive up to six months in jail. His possible punishment by the city will be determined after an internal investigation.
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