I-Team: Explosive complaint filed by parents of fallen Cleveland police officer
CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered an explosive complaint filed by the family of Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter, who was killed in the line of duty.
Ritter's parents believe the Cleveland Police Department put him in unnecessary danger the night he was shot and killed.
The parents have filed a bold complaint with the Office of Professional Standards.
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Last year, on the morning of July 4, patrol officers tried to arrest a man considered armed and dangerous. Police said Delawnte Hardy shot Ritter.
'The lack of proactive measures led to unnecessary risks … culminating in the murder of Officer Ritter including failure to utilize CPD SWAT, Cuyahoga County SWAT, and the United States Marshal's Office tactical resources,' reads the complaint.
' … Actions under [Police Chief Dorothy] Todd have created circumstances in which officers are afraid to use force, even when required and necessary to protect themselves or the public out of fear of adverse consequences.'
Karen and Jon Ritter first filed a complaint with the Cleveland Office of Professional Standards in January. They cited how they were notified of their son's death. They described getting a cold phone call in the middle of the night.
A few weeks later, a new complaint was written by the head of the OPS as 'an extension' of the original complaint. That additional complaint was then signed by the officer's parents.
We are told the complaint is under investigation.
'The recent tragic murder of Officer Ritter underscores the poor decision-making and inadequate support systems for officers, raising serious concerns about Chief Todd's leadership responsibility, resulting dereliction of duty, repeated violations of General Police Orders and the legal mandates of the Ohio Revised Code,' the family's complaint also states. 'Before high-risk deployments, operational planning was insufficient, contributing to perilous situations for officers. Discussions before the incident indicate that Chief Todd and her leadership failed to provide a non-hostile work environment, proper training for specialized assignments, and access to essential resources.'
The I-Team has revealed that during the deadly encounter, six officers had guns out. They did not shoot the suspect. Yet, officers said the suspect kept firing shots, even as an officer held his wrist to the ground.
The new complaint attacks Cleveland police training and equipment, and it alleges a hostile work environment, calling it 'administrative misconduct.'
We contacted the office of Police Chief Dorothy Todd, and we received the following statement:
'The Division of Police is also still grieving the loss of Officer Jamieson Ritter and we empathize with the Ritter family. What happened that day was the result of a violent criminal's actions with a gun and was an absolute tragedy. They have opted to exercise their right to an administrative review of the incident, which will proceed in the same manner as others do.
'The pain and grief of the Ritter family is unfathomable to anyone who has not lost a loved one in the line of duty and is something I will not minimize by commenting on this specific complaint. The Division of Police policies and training were written with the approval of the Department of Justice under the Federal Consent Decree. Schedules of patrol officers are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement,' said Todd.
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Hardy has been found incompetent to stand trial. He was sent to a mental health clinic for treatment. Prosecutors are hoping he will be restored to competency.
Court records show a hearing will be held in the next few days for court 'approval of medical treatment and administration of medication.' An exact date has not yet been set.
Hardy faces charges for the deadly shooting, but the new complaint suggests the officer's own department also failed him.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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