Two Baltimore police officers have accepted “minor disciplinary action” for their part in the 2015 arrest of Freddie Gray, who died after being severely injured while in police custody.
The deal clears the way for the cops to remain employed by the Baltimore Police Department, instead of arguing before departmental trial boards and facing termination.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Officers Garrett Miller and Edward Nero believe that they did not violate any of the policies of the BPD but “accepted the disciplinary action to move on from this unfortunate incident and continue their careers.”
“The most important factor in deciding to accept the disciplinary action was to ensure they continue their employment with the Baltimore Police Department so they can support themselves and their families,” said police-union lawyer Michael Davey.
Of course, like most other issues that deal with law enforcement, the details are shrouded in secrecy.
Davey would not disclose what the violations were, or the punishments the officers accepted, but the Baltimore Sun previously reported that the punishment is five days’ suspension without pay.
Miller, 28, is back to full-time duty working in the Police Department’s marine unit, and Nero, 31, is back to full-time work in the aviation unit.
In April 2015, Gray, 25, died in police custody, after being chased by police for having what they alleged was an illegal switchblade. He was allegedly given a rough ride in the back of a police van, where his spinal cord was crushed. He died a week later, and the city coroner declared his death a homicide. Gray’s death set the city of Baltimore off on days of uprisings against police brutality.
Although Baltimore City prosecutor Marilyn Mosby filed criminal charges against six of the officers involved, including a charge of second-degree manslaughter, she was unable to get a conviction. Federal prosecutors declined to bring charges.
The discipline is the first punishment against officers in the case.
Three other officers involved—Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., Lt. Brian Rice and Sgt. Alicia White—are scheduled to go before trial boards before the close of the year and possibly face termination.
The city paid Gray’s family $6.4 million to avoid civil litigation.
Read more at the Los Angeles Times.