Shaker Heights police identify officer under investigation for flipping off protesters before presidential debate in Cleveland

CLEVELAND — Shaker Heights officials on Thursday identified the officer under investigation for flipping off protesters during a march before Tuesday's presidential debate in Cleveland. Cpl. Michael Spuzzillo is on paid administrative leave while the investigation is pending, according to a letter written by Shaker Heights Police Chief Jeffrey DeMuth. The letter says Spuzzillo will remain on paid leave until the internal investigation is completed. Spuzzillo was one of hundreds of law enforcement officers who helped Cleveland police, the U.S. Secret Service, FBI and Ohio National Guard provide security for the debate on Tuesday. Shaker Heights Police Commander John Cole said the results of the investigation will be made public when its completed. Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss did not respond to requests for comment, nor did a city spokeswoman. The incident happened as some 500 protesters marched in the University Circle neighborhood. Black Lives Matter Cleveland and Black Spring CLE organized the event and march. The protests were entirely peaceful. As a caravan of armed officers drove near the march on East Boulevard near Hazel Drive, an officer in riot gear driving a Shaker Heights police van extended his arm out of the window gave the middle finger to protesters as he drove past. A cleveland.com reporter took a video of the incident. The officer drove the third of four police vehicles that went by the march. A Black Lives Matter organizer criticized the officer's actions and Shaker Heights police sent a statement on Wednesday saying that they "unequivocally" support protesters' rights and codemn actions by police officers that show disrespect to citizens. ——— ©2020 The Plain Dealer, Cleveland Visit The Plain Dealer, Cleveland at www.cleveland.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.