The recent paid administrative leave of Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge has unveiled underlying tensions with City Manager Sheryl Long. A series of documents and communications between the two have shed light on what appears to be a somewhat fractured relationship, which may have contributed to the city's request for Theetge's resignation.
An email obtained by LOCAL12 on Aug. 15 indicated Long was "caught off guard" by Theetge's announcement of a police chief task force, which had not been previously discussed with Long. This communication directive sparked speculation regarding the internal dynamics of the city's administration. Similarly, an escalation of the internal rift was evident in correspondence reviewed by FOX19, where Long stressed the importance of connecting prior to making public announcements.
Adding to the growing dossier of discord, an email thread represented a clear call for alignment between the Police Chief and the City Manager, discussing the need for coordinated communication. These exchanges were reported alongside statements giving veneered endorsements of unity, belying the brewing disquiet under the public guise of cooperation.
Emails and subsequent text messages leading up to Theetge being placed on leave suggest a focus on addressing issues of violence within the city. WCPO News obtained texts showing Long's concern over heightened public attention due to a high-profile incident, prompting her to request Theetge's early return from a Denver conference. Meanwhile, Theetge received support from Cincinnati Reds leadership, stating, "You are a great leader and I have total confidence in you getting us through this. Don't let the media and critics get you down."
