Union calls Cleveland cops' firing unbelievable

CLEVELAND (AP) — The head of Cleveland's largest police union says the firings of six officers after a 137-shot barrage that killed two unarmed people are unbelievable, unprecedented and politically motivated.

City officials announced today they're firing six officers and giving six others multiweek suspensions in connection with the November 2012 shooting in East Cleveland. They were cited for violations such as creating a crossfire situation that could endanger officers and joining the chase and leaving the city without permission.

One more officer who had faced administrative discipline has retired.

The union's president, Steve Loomis, says it will fight the discipline. Loomis says it was a terrible, tragic situation, but responding officers did the best they could under the circumstances.

He noted that no officers were hit by gunfire.

It wasn't immediately clear if those fired include Patrolman Michael Brelo, who was acquitted of manslaughter charges in May for firing the last 15 shots in East Cleveland on Nov. 29, 2012.