Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) Chief Teresa Theetge has been placed on paid administrative leave amid a growing internal investigation into her leadership, months after the backlash she received for downplaying a violent downtown brawl that went viral on social media.
According to multiple local news reports, City Manager Sheryl Long announced the decision on Monday, citing the need for “stability” within the department as the city grapples with ongoing public safety concerns. Assistant Chief Adam Hennie has been named interim chief.
“The City continues to face serious public safety challenges that underscore the need for stability at the command level,” Long said in a statement to WLWT5. “Our focus remains on maintaining stability within the department and ensuring the highest standards of service to our residents.”
Viral Brawl, Public Outcry, and Accusations of Downplaying Violence
The controversy stems from a disturbing July incident that was caught on camera and widely shared across social media platforms. The video showed a chaotic and brutal brawl during a jazz festival near Elm and Fourth Streets, where a white man was stomped repeatedly by a group of black men, and a white woman — later identified as Holly — was violently punched by another black man, rendering her unconscious and leaving her lying in the street.
Despite the graphic nature of the footage, Chief Theetge publicly criticized the spread of the video, accusing journalists and social media users of lacking “context.” Her comments were immediately condemned, with many accusing her of minimizing the severity of the violence and failing to take the incident seriously.
The criticism intensified after Holly came forward in August, telling Fox News that officers at the scene never took her name or a statement, and appeared disinterested in the situation. She described seeing CPD officers “leaning up against their police car with their arms crossed” after the attack.
Broader Tensions and Lawsuits
Theetge’s leave comes amid wider tensions within the department, including a high-profile discrimination lawsuit brought by four former CPD officers. The suit, filed earlier this year, accuses the city and department of systemic bias against white male officers, alleging a culture of discrimination in promotions and internal discipline.
Attorney Zack Gottesman, who represents the officers, told local outlet WXIX (Fox 19) that other lawsuits are also pending, further complicating the CPD’s leadership crisis.
While the city has not explicitly linked the discrimination case to Theetge’s administrative leave, the cumulative weight of controversies surrounding the department appears to have driven the decision to temporarily remove her from her position.
Leadership in Question
The internal review is reportedly focused on “the effectiveness of her leadership,” which may include not only her handling of the July brawl but also her responses to officer complaints, department morale, and the broader public perception of police accountability in Cincinnati.
As of now, no timeline has been provided for the conclusion of the investigation or for Theetge’s potential return. Interim Chief Adam Hennie is expected to take over departmental leadership during what may prove to be a defining period for CPD’s future direction.
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Started LE in 1971 with LAPD. Over the dcads since then LE has gone downhill…retired in 1994 from injuries. Do cops even care anymore? Are they not interested, or are they afraid of the Chief? If the latter, find a different agency, one where you can hold your head up high…unlike those in this article!
Of Course This Police Chief Is Showing Discrimination. Fire Her Today, Because She Has Failed To Uphold The Law on Many Occasion’s