Union leaders at the Cincinnati Police Station have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the city’s mayor, largely stemming from the public outcry following a violent incident on July 26th that gained national attention.
In a statement released Monday night, the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 69 made their voices clear.
FOP President Ken Kober criticized the mayor’s office, claiming there’s a noticeable lack of support for the officers who serve the community.
“This unanimous vote of no confidence clearly shows that Mayor Pureval’s leadership does not adequately support those who protect our city day in and day out,” Kober remarked. He pointed out political interference in law enforcement and the neglect of both officers’ well-being and community safety as key failures that need to be addressed.
The FOP outlined the reasons behind their lack of confidence in the mayor, emphasizing that the response to serious incidents has been too slow.
They specifically highlighted the three-day period between the viral brawl and the mayor’s first public addressing of the situation, noting that the brawl occurred early Saturday morning while the mayor was on vacation in Vancouver.
Additionally, the mayor had instructed city lawyers to pursue charges against the white victims involved in the brutal attack, which resulted in Alex Chichelbinski facing charges of disorderly conduct.
In a viral video, Chichelbinski was seen confronting one of the assailants, though his lawyer claims he was struck 28 times during the ordeal. His legal team stated that he endured multiple blows before he managed to back away.
The police union has also alleged issues with the handling of a city contractor, Iris Roily, who reportedly interfered in a separate police investigation earlier this month.
As for the violent incident, seven individuals have been charged. Six suspects—Patrick Rosemond, Jermaine Matthews, Montanez Meriweather, Dekira Vernon, Dominique Kittle, and Aisha Devaughn—are facing serious charges, including felony assault.
The seventh suspect, Gregory Wright, is facing additional robbery charges, accused of stealing personal items from the victims during the attack.
Moreover, Merriweather has been hit with a federal charge of possession of a firearm, while Matthews faces federal drug distribution charges.
As of now, Pureval’s office has not responded to inquiries for comment.
