Cleveland Cops Charged with Felony Assault: Internal probe follows New Year's Day chase

(CBS/WOIO) CLEVELAND, Ohio - Four Cleveland police officers have been charged with felony assault after an internal investigation into a New Year's Day chase after which a suspect in custody was seriously injured.

Police Chief Michael McGrath announced Friday that the officers are accused of assaulting Edward Henderson. Cleveland's Law Director, Robert Triozzi, said that although Henderson put many lives in danger, "those who are sworn to uphold the law must also follow the law."

Officers Martin Lentz, Kevin Smith, Paul Crawford, and Christopher Randolph, all of whom were hired in 2008, face charges of felony assault and felony obstruction of official business.

All four officers have been suspended without pay, "pending adjudication of the criminal charges," according to Safety Director Martin Flask.

The Cleveland Police Department's internal investigation of the Jan. 1, 2011 incident is continuing.