Cleveland Police Union Says Tamir Rice's Family Should Donate to Gun Education

The union for Cleveland police officers wants a portion of the $6 million awarded to the family of Tamir Rice to donate some of the settlement money to gun education programs.

Steve Loomis, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, made the suggestion Monday, the same day an agreement was reached between the city and the Rice family.

The deal settled civil actions stemming from the shooting death of the 12-year-old, who was shot and killed by police in 2014 as they answered a call for a man waving a gun.

The case was one of many in which police violence set off demonstrations around the country.

“Something good must come from this tragic loss,” Loomis said in a statement. “That would be educating youth of the dangers of possessing a real or replica firearm.”

An attorney for the family responded that the union chief’s call was more evidence that the department is tone deaf.

“Loomis's continued posturing shows he and the union still don't comprehend that the police division needs a cultural change—not hiring incompetents, better training, and greater accountability,” she told Cleveland.com. “We're all still in trouble if Loomis's attitude reflects rank-and-file officers' attitudes."

The settlement is believed to be the largest ever for a Cleveland wrongful death involving police, according to WKYC-TV.

The statement came shortly after the lawsuit was settled on Monday, in which the Rice’s estate will receive $5.5 million, and Tamir’s mother and sister will receive $250,000 each.