An East Cleveland Police Department sergeant, Larry McDonald Jr., faced disciplinary action after a complaint alleged he released a woman from custody in exchange for a date. Following an internal investigation, a disciplinary panel handed down a 10-day suspension without pay.
The incident stemmed from an October event where Sgt. McDonald allegedly violated department policy by intervening to release the 30-year-old woman from the city jail without requiring her to post bond, according to a report by cleveland.com. The department policy explicitly states, “No officer shall intercede directly or indirectly with the judge or any court officer of either the East Cleveland or the Cleveland Municipal Court or any criminal court for an offender.”
The woman, a medical assistant, had gone to the department in November to address a warrant related to a misdemeanor assault charge, which led to her being taken into custody.
In addition to the suspension, Sgt. McDonald is prohibited from working off-duty jobs during his suspension and will be on probation with the department for one year, cleveland.com reported. He is also required to conduct roll call training with other officers regarding the specific policy he violated.
The disciplinary decision, issued by Acting Chief Scott Gardner, followed a December hearing conducted by a panel comprising department commanders, an Internal Affairs investigator, and the city’s Human Resources director.
While Sgt. McDonald participated in the hearing, he declined union representation and did not appeal the discipline, according to Chief Gardner. McDonald denied that his actions were in exchange for a date with the woman. He stated that he obtained permission from a city prosecutor to release the woman, who was reportedly distraught about potentially missing school and work if held in jail. McDonald claimed that he did not exchange numbers or agree to meet until after the woman was released and in the lobby.
In November, Sgt. McDonald told The Plain Dealer that the allegations were “ridiculous,” adding, “People lie all the time, tell stories about me.” He declined to comment on whether he had gone on a date with the woman.
The woman’s complaint stated that McDonald approached her in a holding cell within the city jail after she learned her bond was higher than initially stated. She requested anonymity but confirmed to The Plain Dealer that her statement to East Cleveland police was accurate. She also stated she provided text messages and documents to a Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s office investigator and an FBI agent.
The woman expressed her belief that McDonald would receive a lenient punishment but was pleased that some action was taken. McDonald, who has been with the department for approximately 12 years and previously worked for the Cleveland police, is known in the city by the nickname “Pac-Man.” The origin of the nickname was not explained.
Following the publication of the story in The Plain Dealer, the woman said other women shared stories about McDonald’s behavior toward them on social media. The news agency did not provide confirming details or specific information. “I still don’t know what I did that made him feel like he could approach me like that,” she said. “But I’m proud that I stood up for myself and I hope that other people decide to do the same.” She also expressed interest in the results of the ongoing Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department investigation. A county spokeswoman confirmed that the case remains active.
Police Misconduct can lead to serious consequences for officers and departments.