In the wake of recent violence and high-profile crimes in Cincinnati's downtown, Police Chief Teresa Theetge has retained an employment lawyer. Steve Imm with the Finney Law Firm, who also represents ex-Cincinnati Fire Chief Michael Washington in his wrongful termination case, is now advocating for Theetge. "We have been retained as of late yesterday. That’s the only thing I can say right now," Imm stated to FOX19.
Chief Theetge's move to hire legal counsel comes during a period where her leadership is under intense scrutiny by city officials. Following recent incidents of violence, specifically a brawl and a couple of shootings in the urban core, talks about departmental matters have escalated to include Theetge's potential replacement. "What it means is that we're exploring all options and significant changes are needed at this point," Mayor Aftab Pureval mentioned in a statement to WLWT, though he has recognized Chief Theetge as a strong partner in safety changes previously.
Despite the tension, City Manager Sheryl Long describes her recent meeting with Theetge as "productive discussions regarding departmental matters of the Cincinnati Police Department," according to FOX19. However, Long also had requested that Theetge return to Cincinnati from a conference in Denver amidst these discussions. The meeting followed the first fatal shooting of the year in downtown on October 17, as reported by The Enquirer.
Theetge, who was named chief in 2022 after over 30 years on the force, has announced new measures to combat violence, including enforcing low-level violations and having SWAT and the Civil Disturbance Response Team deployed to problematic areas. She asserted in a press conference that officers will be intervening more proactively to prevent crime. "Expect if you're doing something that you've never been approached about before, expect we're going to start reminding you your actions are illegal," Theetge told WLWT. In her efforts to reinforce public safety, the mayor is also proposing an earlier 6 p.m. curfew, especially for teens.
The uncertainty surrounding Theetge's job comes amid a broader conversation on the efficacy of the city's efforts to prevent violence. The Fraternal Order of Police President suggested alternatives to a change in leadership, such as repealing Issue 5 or voters electing a new mayor, to allow the police chief to operate independently from political influences. These comments came as a direct response to the suggestion that replacing Theetge could be on the table. Given the complex landscape of criminal justice, policing strategies, and political dynamics, the resolution of these discussions and the retention of an employment lawyer by Chief Theetge mark a critical juncture for the future of public safety in Cincinnati.
