Cleveland Police Jokingly Issue Arrest Warrants for Referees Who "Stole" Win from Browns
"Robbery warrant issued for tonight's @Browns game @NFL 'officials'," the Cleveland Police said in a Tweet Sunday night. "Ok. We can't do that. Just sayin'," the Tweet concluded.
"Robbery warrant issued for tonight's @Browns game @NFL 'officials'," the Cleveland Police said in a Tweet Sunday night. "Ok. We can't do that. Just sayin'," the Tweet concluded.
The humorous post on social media came after a heartbreaking loss for the Cleveland Browns at the hands of the Oakland Raiders—and, if one sides with the Cleveland Police, the officiating crew.
With the Browns up by eight points with 1:46 remaining in regulation, the team could run out the clock. The ball in the hands of Carlos Hyde appeared to cross the first-down marker, which would have allowed the Browns to run the "win the game play" three times and exit the building with a win. The ball was spotted and measured, and it was determined that Cleveland got the first down.
But a booth review was initiated, and upon that review, the ball was spotted several inches short of the line to gain. That decision would prove pivotal.
The Raiders took possession of the ball, marched into the end zone, and converted a two-point try to force overtime. With minutes left in the extra frame, rookie kicker Matt McCrane kicked a game-winning 29-yard field goal.
The game took place in Oakland, so the Cleveland Police probably didn't have jurisdictional ability to issue the warrants for the referees.
But the message was clear: You took that one from us.
Robbery warrant issued for tonight’s @Browns game @NFL “officials”.
Ok. We can’t do that. Just sayin’.— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) October 1, 2018
More Command

How Smart Fleet Technology Is Transforming Police Operations
Police agencies are leveraging fleet data to reduce collisions, improve officer safety, control maintenance costs, and strengthen public accountability. This ebook explores how modern telematics and fleet management technology are helping departments operate more efficiently while maximizing taxpayer resources.
Read More →
NEOGOV Acquires Off-Duty Law Enforcement Software Platform PowerDetails
With the acquisition of PowerDetails, NEOGOV expands its footprint within public safety agencies to offer both on-duty and off-duty scheduling.
Read More →
FBI-LEEDA Launches Inaugural Five Star Chief Executive Institute
FBI-LEEDA’s recently-launched Five Star Chief Executive Institute is a two-week executive program that equips senior law enforcement leaders with strategic skills for modern policing.
Read More →
Why Police Leaders Must Champion Parking Enforcement
For police and transportation departments, traditional parking enforcement exposes officers to risk, such as standing on busy roads to issue paper tickets or catching offenders in dangerous, congested areas. Modern technology changes this, reducing exposure, speeding processes, and limiting confrontations.
Read More →More IACP 2025 From the Show Floor
Watch expanded coverage of IACP 2025 as the POLICE Magazine team walks the aisles at the expo and shares what we found interesting on display for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.
Read More →IACP 2025 - From the Show Floor
Take a look inside the expo at IACP 2025 to see a sampling of what is displayed for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.
Read More →
Pro-gard Expands Law Enforcement Vehicle Protection and Transport Solutions
Pro-gard has introduced HD Fender and Headlight Wraps for added front-end protection and a new P1300 Pro-Cell transport system for Ford F-150 and Super Duty models.
Read More →
COPS Teams With The Wounded Blue To Help Injured And Disabled Law Enforcement Officers And Their Families
Free officer-wellness training comes to Las Vegas Sept. 22–25: The Wounded Blue’s 5th Annual National Law Enforcement Survival Summit opens registration.
Read More →
Video: Officer Crawls Across Ladder to Rescue Family from Floodwaters
When floodwaters overturned a vehicle in rural New Mexico, Officer Walker Eby risked his life—crawling over raging currents on a ladder—to rescue a woman, her child, and their dog.
Read More →
Ahmedabad, India, to Host 2029 World Police & Fire Games
Birmingham, Alabama, hosted the 2025 World Police & Fire Games, and Ahmedabad, India, has been announced as the host city for 2029.
Read More →