Cincinnati police chief placed on paid leave
Cincinnati officials placed Police Chief Teresa Theetge, a 35-year veteran of the department, on leave amid ongoing concerns about public safety following a viral July 26 brawl in downtown Cincinnati.
The confrontation, which went viral as bystanders opted to record it rather than call the police, thrust the Queen City into the national spotlight and an ongoing conversation about public safety in liberal-leaning cities. It also prompted widespread criticism of the police chief’s leadership.
Assistant Police Chief Adam Hennie will serve as the department’s interim chief, City Manager Sheryl Long announced. Theetge has been the police chief since January 2023.
“The city continues to face serious public safety challenges that underscore the need for stability at the command level,” Long said in a statement, Fox 19 reported. “…Our focus remains on maintaining stability within the department and ensuring the highest standards of service to our residents. I have full confidence in Interim Chief Hennie and the department’s command staff to continue their dedicated work at this time.”
At least eight people have been charged in connection with the July confrontation, generally described as “a group of largely black assailants” targeting a “white man and a woman.”
According to WLWT-TV, Theetge’s attorney, Stephen Imm, an attorney with the Finney Law Firm, said the police chief has “no intention” of resigning.
“There is no justification for this action,” Imm said during a Tuesday news conference, the station reported. “She is a dedicated public servant, this is in her blood, her DNA, she wants nothing more than to be a servant.”
According to the Daily Mail, Theetge earns $203,000 per year as police chief. According to the publication, Imm said Theetge was “hamstrung by politics,” suggesting that city officials have already privately approved firing Theetge.
“Sentence has already been passed on Terry, they’re looking for a scalp, they’re looking for a scapegoat,” Imm said, per the report.
The New York Post previously reported that four high-ranking officers sued Theetge, alleging she discriminated against white lieutenants while using a “race-based quota system” to make assignments and promotions.
The issue of crime has permeated this year’s mayoral race, particularly following the July street fight. In the aftermath of the viral beatdown, which took place at West Fourth and Elm streets, authorities charged at least eight people in connection.
“I am grateful for Chief Theetge’s decades of service,” Mayor Aftab Pureval said in a statement, WLWT-TV reported. “I have full confidence in Interim Chief Hennie, and City Manager Long and I had the opportunity to meet with him and his Assistant Chiefs this morning.”
Critics also lambasted Pureval for his slow response to the July brawl.
The viral fight led to a bevy of perspectives, perhaps none more outlandish than that of former Democratic Cincinnati Councilwoman Victoria Parks.
“They begged for that beat down!” Parks said in response to a video of the brawl on Facebook, Cincinnati.com reported at the time. “I am grateful for the whole story.”
Parks resigned following backlash over her comments.
In September, the state announced new partnerships with Cincinnati officials aimed at keeping the public safe and cracking down on violent criminals.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol started working directly with the Cincinnati Police to implement data-driven “violent crime reduction initiatives.” By leveraging insights from the Cincinnati Crime Gun Intelligence Center, authorities previously said they would focus their efforts on areas where crime is surging.
