Full Breakdown
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge Dismissed Amid Leadership Dispute
4/25/2026, 6:58:46 AM
Core Event
City Manager Sheryl Long announced on April 23, 2026 that Police Chief Teresa Theetge was dismissed effective immediately after a five-month review deemed her “not an effective leader.” Mayor Aftab Pureval backed the decision. Theetge’s attorney, Stephen Imm, said she will seek arbitration and sue.
Background & Context
Theetge was placed on paid leave in October after downtown shootings and other high-profile crimes. The city hired Frost Brown Todd Gibbons (FBT Gibbons) for a five-month review that faulted her “old-school” leadership, lack of collaboration and failure to launch walking-and-bike patrols the mayor said were needed.
Key Figures
Teresa Theetge (former chief), Sheryl Long (city manager), Aftab Pureval (mayor), Stephen Imm (attorney), FBT Gibbons (investigating firm), FOP President Ken Kober, Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, and Interim Chief Adam Hennie.
Timeline
Oct 2025 – leave after shootings; Mar 2026 – review released; Apr 23 2026 – termination announced; Apr 24 2026 – attorney scheduled arbitration press conference.
Data
35 years of service; $203,000 salary while on leave; $49,000 review cost, $50,000 legal advice; $7.5 million demanded; nine-page report and seven-page termination letter.
Why It Matters
The firing precedes a November election, raising concerns about political pressure on police leadership and costly litigation. It also revives debate over the city charter’s sole-manager authority to hire and fire chiefs.
Official Statements
Long said her duty is to place “the right people in the right seats.” Pureval argued Theetge failed to staff walking and bike patrols and rejected the $7.5 million demand as a nonstarter. Imm called the review a scapegoating effort and vowed arbitration and litigation.
Criticism
FOP President Ken Kober called the dismissal unjust and warned of taxpayer costs. Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney said the dispute reflects divergent visions for leadership. Some council members fear Theetge was used as a scapegoat.
Conflicting Reports
City officials say Theetge refused to resign and was ineffective; Imm says she offered to step down, was pressured, and later demanded $7.5 million, which he says breaches a pact. The report’s claim she ignored safety-patrol plans is denied as false. No settlement confirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The mayor was in a panic over high-profile crime in the city and an election was looming, (and) he felt he needed a scapegoat,” — Stephen Imm, attorney for Teresa Theetge
- “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.” — Stephen Imm
- “This is the latest example of a poor decision made by the city manager that is likely going to cost the taxpayers millions,” — Ken Kober, FOP president
- “And $7.5 million is a nonstarter.” — Aftab Pureval, Mayor
What’s Next
Imm plans to file for arbitration within the 10-day appeal window and pursue a lawsuit alleging constitutional violations. The city will update on a permanent chief in the coming weeks, while a ballot measure could shift chief-appointment authority from the manager to the council.
