Cop accused of waving gun at party gets long suspension

An off-duty CLEVELAND — Cleveland police officer, accused of causing chaos at a Lakewood July 4 party when he punched a 15-year-old in the face and waved his city-issued gun around, has been suspended for 20 days without pay, city records show.

Michael Glick, a patrol officer, initiated the violent incident and showed “utter disregard for policy,” according to a Feb. 3 letter signed by Karrie Howard, the city’s safety director. Glick began serving his suspension Feb. 7, a police spokesperson said.

The incident stemmed from a July 4, 2021, fireworks show in Lakewood, which Glick attended while off-duty and in plain clothes with his girlfriend.

During the celebration, a separate, unsanctioned set of fireworks erupted nearby, forming large black smoke clouds.

Glick announced to show-goers that he’d “handle” the situation, then walked 150 feet in darkness, toward a house where a party was occurring.

Glick approached the house and a confrontation ensued. According to two partygoers, Glick punched a 15-yearold in the face as the youth tried to defend his mother. When a crowd formed, Glick punched a man in the eye, the man later claimed. The fracas escalated from there.

Howard’s letter corroborates those accusations, claiming that Glick “responded to the complainants’ party while off duty, in plain clothes and armed, and started a physical altercation by striking a minor-aged male, pushing a female citizen, striking a male citizen, physically engaging multiple members of the complainant’s group and failed to use de-escalation techniques for an incident that was initiated by yourself.”

After he was punched by Glick, the male resident made an aggressive move toward him, prompting Glick to draw his gun and wave it in a sweeping motion, the man claimed.

The altercation led to a 911 call and a police response. Glick was charged with criminal trespass. A judge found him guilty and ordered him to pay a $200 fine.