Cleveland Councilman Richard Banks said Monday that a city police sergeant who was "stupid enough" to send an inappropriate photo to a female officer should have been fired immediately.
He said, "How could anyone be so stupid after all the turmoil we've been through that's been plastered all over the front page?"
Sgt. Eddie Bonnett resigned after interim Police Chief Mark Gibson placed him on administrative leave.
City Manager Janice Casteel said his effective date of leaving the department is at the end of the month since he has some leave time. Interim Chief Gibson said he is no longer on duty.
Councilman Banks said, "I would have told him you get nothing. Let him sue us."
He said Cleveland officials and the Chamber try to boost the city's image, but it keeps getting tarnished by sex scandals in the Cleveland Police Department. Two chiefs stepped down in connection with illicit affairs, and there was another recent incident involving officers having dalliances.
Councilman Banks said, "I think we need to see a new day as far as the conduct at the Cleveland Police Department."