Northeast Ohio Police Officer Accused Of Flipping Off Protesters

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Shaker Heights police have provided an update on an officer accused of making an obscene gesture toward protesters gathered in Cleveland ahead of Tuesday night's presidential debate.

The incident happened while the officer was working with a security detail in University Circle. Protesters with Black Lives Matter were peacefully demonstrating when a security vehicle drove by and the officer made the gesture, police said.

"As a result, the Shaker Heights officer was removed from the team working on the security detail last night [Tuesday] by a commander of the regional mobile field force team. Upon learning about this incident, the Shaker Heights Police Department began an investigation, and as a result has placed the officer on administrative leave effective this afternoon," a Shaker Heights police spokesperson said.

The Shaker Heights police department also issued the following statement clarifying its support for peaceful protests:

The Shaker Heights Police Department unequivocally supports the right of Black Lives Matter and all demonstrators to peacefully protest. We explicitly condemn any action by a police officer that interferes with or disrespects the rights of citizens to demonstrate. We are committed to confronting and rooting out unprofessional and inappropriate behavior within our department, and pledge to move as swiftly as possible in this case. We recognize that behavior such as this damages relationships that we have worked hard to build. We are committed to a police force that protects and represents all people and treats them fairly, and with dignity and respect.