CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge has been fired.<\/p>\n
City Manager Sheryl Long announced April 23 that Theetge was dismissed \u201ceffective immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI recognize Chief Theetge\u2019s more than 35 years of service to the Cincinnati Police Department and to this City,\u201d said Long. \u201cAt the same time, after completing this review, it\u2019s become clear that a change in leadership is necessary for the department moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Interim Chief Adam Hennie remains in command of CPD, according to the city.<\/p>\n
Theetge\u2019s attorney, Steve Imm, issued a statement following Thursday\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n
Today is a sad day for the City of Cincinnati. Its leaders have taken the shameful step of dismissing one of its most accomplished and beloved public servants for no legitimate reason. 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.<\/p>\n
When Long met with the media Thursday, she was asked about a potential lawsuit, something Imm has said will happen should Theetge be fired.<\/p>\n
Long replied, \u201cI can\u2019t speculate on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s decision follows a months-long investigation<\/a> into Theetge\u2019s leadership effectiveness, which started in October 2025.<\/p>\n FBT Gibbons, the third-party law firm hired by city officials, concluded the investigation in March<\/a>, alleging Theetge lacks the ability to collaborate, take accountability, communicate effectively and create a transparent, positive work environment, based on witness accounts. <\/p>\n \u201cChief Theetge has not been an effective leader of the CPD. Modern policing requires cross-departmental collaboration, adapting to changing expectations in communities and with employees, and eliminating single points of failure. Chief Theetge\u2019s \u2018old school\u2019 (i.e. rigid and authoritarian) approach led directly to a siloing of departments where departments competed for talent, resources, and information \u2013 to the detriment of the CPD and the City,\u201d part of the report says. <\/p>\n The full report<\/a> was made public March 31.<\/p>\n Theetge\u2019s attorney dismissed the report\u2019s allegations, previously stating the investigation was intended to make her a \u201cpolitical scapegoat.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n [Watch more FOX19 NOW videos]<\/a><\/p>\n The former chief\u2019s family released a statement on social media<\/a> over the weekend, following a closed-door meeting with Long in mid-April.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, the report is so full of lies, it took Terri two hours to cover them. Yes, there was a sense of relief on Terri\u2019s part to look her in the eyes and tell her she is a liar,\u201d the post says. <\/p>\n \u201cOur family was simply enjoying our lives until this atrocity occurred and as we have said repeatedly, \u2018we didn\u2019t start this fight, but we will finish it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n