Cincinnati Chief Theetge Placed on Leave

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge was placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 20 by City Manager Sheryl Long pending an internal investigation into the effectiveness of her leadership, and Assistant Chief Adam Hennie has been named interim police chief. The action follows a series of high-profile public-safety incidents, including a viral downtown brawl, multiple Fountain Square shootings and a fatal Over-the-Rhine shooting, that intensified criticism of city leadership and the department. Theetge’s attorney, Stephen Imm, said she will not resign, called the move unlawful and politically motivated, announced a news conference to discuss her employment and noted she was placed on leave on her 35th anniversary with the Cincinnati Police Department. City officials say the leave is meant to restore stability at the command level while the investigation proceeds. The department is also contending with lawsuits from former officers alleging discrimination; the story is developing.