Cincy Police Chief, Who Bashed Media for Doing Its Job Last Summer, Has Been Placed on Leave
In July, an attack in Cincinnati left a woman knocked unconscious and bleeding on the pavement, and the police response raised eyebrows from the start. Police Chief Terri Theetge publicly chastised reporters for sharing and covering the incident instead of treating that coverage as routine news. The scene and the reaction sparked a broader debate about transparency, accountability, and selective outrage.
The assault targeted a white couple and the footage was disturbing: a woman rendered unconscious with a bloodied face while bystanders looked on. Many observers wondered aloud whether the reaction would have been the same if the races involved were reversed, an issue critics summed up as what if the races were reversed. That question kept this story alive beyond the initial outrage.
Chief Theetge’s tone made critics suspect she cared more about media narratives than community safety, especially after she publicly scolded outlets that “were doing their job.” That rebuke added fuel to an already tense situation inside the department. Allegations of favoritism and poor leadership started to ripple through the ranks.
Things escalated when a group of Cincinnati police officers filed a lawsuit alleging workplace discrimination against white males within the department. That legal action intensified scrutiny of internal practices and of top leadership decisions. Against that backdrop, city officials moved to take decisive administrative action.
City managers placed Chief Theetge on paid administrative leave, citing questions about her effectiveness as a leader. The move is framed as temporary and tied to an internal review meant to assess command stability and departmental performance. Critics and supporters are already jockeying to control the narrative.
Cincinnati Police Chief Terri Theetge has been placed on paid administrative leave, city officials confirmed.
Cincinnati City Manager Sheryl Long states the move comes “pending an internal investigation on the effectiveness of her leadership in the Cincinnati Police Department.”
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. Therefore, I’ve named Assistant Chief Adam Hennie as Interim Police Chief. Our focus remains on maintaining stability within the department and ensuring the highest standards of service to our residents. I have full confidence in Interim Chief Hennie and the department’s command staff to continue their dedicated work at this time,” said City Manager Sheryl Long.
Long stated public safety remains the “top priority of this administration” saying they remain committed to “ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining community trust during this period.”
The city manager’s statement highlights the administration’s focus on steady leadership amid growing public-safety concerns. Naming Assistant Chief Adam Hennie interim chief is meant to signal continuity while the inquiry proceeds. Residents and rank-and-file officers alike will be watching for real evidence that the department can stabilize under interim command.
For her part, Chief Theetge has publicly said she does not intend to resign, insisting she will cooperate with the investigation and defend her record. That stance leaves the situation open-ended and ensures the legal fight and internal review will dominate headlines for weeks. Meanwhile, officers and citizens are left asking whether leadership changes will produce better outcomes on the street.
The coming internal probe will test the city’s promises about accountability and community trust without offering immediate closure. What happens next — discipline, reforms, or no action — will shape public confidence in a department already strained by lawsuits and controversy. For now, the leave is an official pause that raises more questions than answers about leadership, fairness, and public safety.
