Two East Cleveland police officers have been fired after an alleged scuffle with a suspect.
According to the East Cleveland Mayor's Office, one officer was part-time. The other was a patrolman who was fired during his probationary period.
The officers have been identified as Gerald Spencer and Denayne Dixon.
Mayor Gary Norton's office said the officers were fired over a scuffle they had with a robbery suspect on Sunday—Jesse Nickerson.
The defense attorney for Nickerson told newsnet5.com that the officers took the man to Forest Hills Park after his arrest Sunday morning, beat him and threw him down a cliff.
Nickerson appeared in court Thursday regarding charges stemming from his arrest as well as outstanding felony warrants.
According to the mayor's office, the officers were fired within 36 hours of the incident. Officials say they could face criminal charges of kidnapping, felony assault, police brutality, battery and civil rights violations.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent investigation into the officers' conduct.
