Cincinnati police chief fired over refusal to put more officers on streets amid crime surge

Cincinnati police chief Teresa Theetge was fired Thursday for ineffective leadership and failing to put more police officers on the street amid a crime surge despite the city manager begging her to do so.

Theetge, who has been in the role since 2022 but was a police officer for 35 years, was placed on administrative leave in October over her failure to bring down the city's violent crime rate. 

"I recognize Chief Theetge’s more than 35 years of service to the Cincinnati Police Department and to this City." Cincinnati City Manager Sheryl Long told Fox News. "At the same time, after completing this review, it’s become clear that a change in leadership is necessary for the department moving forward."

Long slammed Theetge in a termination letter, highlighting her refusal to obey the city's safety plan last year that could have helped prevent some violent crimes during the summer. 

"You admitted you did not agree with the City’s Summer Safety Plan, which included more police coverage in the urban core, and you admitted that I begged you to fill the police work details called for in the summer plan," she wrote.

Long also criticized Theetge for her alleged ineffective leadership and poor communication and her decisions to put her personal life ahead of her public safety job. Theetge decided to see a play in October on the day after a shooting in the city.

"You further admitted that on October 14 (the day after the second shooting) you chose to go to a play rather than attend a public safety town hall meeting," Long wrote in the termination letter. "[You] should not need to be told to attend a public safety meeting … the night after a shooting on Fountain Square."

The termination comes after Theetge spoke heavily about bringing the city's gun violence rate down after she was chosen to replace former police chief Eliot Isaac, but gun violence remained a serious issue throughout her time in the top post.

Theetge was also sued last May by four white male police officers who accused her of discrimination. The officers claimed they were passed over for promotions or preferred assignments because of their sex and race.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.