SECOND CHANCES

Ohio Village Police Hire Fired Officer Who Shot and Killed Tamir Rice

“He was cleared of any and all wrongdoing,” Bellaire Police Chief Richard Flanagan said of Timothy Loehmann.

The police chief of Bellaire, Ohio, has hired the officer who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland four years ago, saying he deserves “a second chance,” The Intelligencer reports. Timothy Loehmann, who was fired by the Cleveland Police Department last year, landed a part-time job on Bellaire's force. Another new hire: Eric Smith, who was suspended from his job as the police chief of Bethesda, Ohio, for allegedly misusing a law-enforcement computer system. Bellaire Police Chief Richard Flanagan told the newspaper he believes that the men should have the opportunity to redeem themselves. “He was cleared of any and all wrongdoing,” Flanagan said of Loehmann. “He was never charged. It’s over and done with.” Regarding Smith, Flanagan said he had “reservations” about hiring him and has banned him from using computers. “Everyone has got to prove themselves,” the chief said.