Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge is out. City Manager Sheryl Long announced the firing Thursday, saying it was effective immediately.
Long says the decision was based on findings of an independent investigation into Theetge's leadership. Theetge was placed on paid leave in October pending the investigation.
“I want to begin by acknowledging Chief Theetge’s more than 35 years of service to the Cincinnati Police Department and to the city,” Long said in a press conference Thursday morning. “At the same time, after completing this review, I concluded that a change in leadership is necessary for the department moving forward.”
Long says the department is “stable and fully operational” under Interim Chief Adam Hennie, who took that position in October.
Theetge's attorney, Stephen Imm of Finney Law Firm, said in a statement this is "a sad day" for Cincinnati.
"Its leaders have taken the shameful step of dismissing one of its most accomplished and beloved public servants for no legitimate reason," Imm said. "They know their phony excuses for this disgraceful action are entirely false, but still chose to put this black mark on our great city. We will get justice for Terri Theetge, and those responsible for this disgusting act will be held accountable."
In March, Imm said Theetge would sue the city if it took "adverse action" toward her.
FOP President Ken Kober denounced the decision in a statement.
“This is the latest example of a poor decision made by the city manager that is likely going to cost the taxpayers millions," Kober said. "I look forward to seeing Chief Theetge fight this unjust termination.”
Investigation
As WVXU previously reported, an investigation released last month into Theetge's leadership concluded she hadn't been an effective leader.
The report describes Theetge's leadership as "rigid and authoritarian," criticizes her communication within the department and with City Hall officials, and says Theetge struggles to accept accountability.
The law firm that conducted the investigation interviewed Theetge and 32 witnesses, who are not named.
"The vast majority of all witnesses believe it would not be in the best interest of the CPD for Chief Theetge to return as Chief," the report says.
At that time, Theetge’s attorney, Stephen Imm of Finney Law Firm, rejected the report's conclusions, stating its "outrageous allegations" would be "exposed, without exception, as entirely false. There is not a shred of credible evidence to support the city’s actions against her."
You can read more about the report here.
Long declined to answer several questions about the investigation.
“Because this is a personnel matter and potential litigation may follow, there are limits to what I can say,” she said.
Long’s decision
Long was careful to emphasize that it was her decision alone — responding to accusations that Mayor Aftab Pureval pressured her into placing Theetge on leave for political reasons, less than a month before the mayoral election last year.
“This decision was made by me, under my authority as city manager under the Cincinnati city charter,” she said.
Long says the decision was difficult for her.
“This decision is not about whether crime remains a challenge in our city,” she said. “The decision was based on findings of an internal review and whether leadership met the expectations required for the position.”
Theetge met with Long on April 10 for a pre-disciplinary hearing; Long says that was her opportunity to “tell me what she felt that she needed me to hear.”
What happens next?
Long said the city will provide an update on permanent leadership in the coming weeks.
It’s not clear if that means a Hennie will be appointed permanent chief, or if the city will conduct an internal or external hiring process.
In the meantime, Long said she wouldn’t speculate on the likelihood of a lawsuit or possibility of a settlement.
“We are prepared to follow through with whatever process is appropriate,” Long said.
Asked whether the city offered Theetge a settlement to resign willingly, Long declined to answer that specific question, but added: “Chief Theetge and I had a conversation before any of this happened, where she asked me to provide her the professional courtesy to step down if there was ever a time in which I did not want her to be chief … so that she could walk away with her head held high. I provided her that professional courtesy — Chief Theetge changed her mind.”
That likely refers to reports that Long asked Theetge to resign last October; Long denied the claims at the time, but placed Theetge on paid leave shortly after.
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