Cleveland cop fired nearly two years after he tested positive for cocaine while on duty

A Cleveland police officer was fired Monday, nearly two years after he tested positive for cocaine while on duty.

Cleveland Safety Director Karrie Howard fired officer James Hummell, a 19-year veteran officer. Hummel had been on restricted duty since he tested positive for the drug on Aug. 23, 2018.

Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association President Jeff Follmer said the union is still deciding whether or not they will appeal the decision to an arbitrator.

Hummel that day showed up for his regular shift and was required to take a random drug test, according to court records. The results came back positive for cocaine two days later.

Hummel was charged in October 2018 with using weapons while intoxicated, a first-degree misdemeanor, because he possessed his city-issued weapon while intoxicated, according to court records.

City prosecutors in 2019 dropped the charge without explanation.

It was the second time Hummel was charged with a crime while on duty. Hummel was convicted in 2009 of negligent assault after he used a stun gun on a gas station employee.

In that case, the employee, Charles Beckett, said in a lawsuit that Hummel threw two packs of cigarettes at him at Q's Gas and Go on the city's West Side. Beckett threw the cigarettes back at Hummel.

Both men later said they had "playful banter" and that Beckett followed Hummel as the officer walked to the exit. Hummel wrote in his police report that he told Beckett that he'd use the stun gun on him if he continued following him.

Hummel wrote that he then accidentally shocked Beckett after he drew the stun gun and it came into contact with Beckett's stomach.

Hummel was ordered to perform 20 hours of community service and was allowed to have his gun back after completing the sentence.

The city later paid Beckett $5,000 to settle a lawsuit over the incident.