Cincinnati Police Chief Placed on Leave Amid Investigation
The Chief of the Cincinnati Police Department, Teresa Tietge, has been put on administrative leave as an internal investigation unfolds, according to various reports. This action follows her responses to a viral video depicting a violent altercation downtown.
In July, footage showing a chaotic brawl at the intersection of Elm Street and Fourth Avenue emerged online. The video captured a group attacking a man and a woman. Teetge is now on paid leave while the investigation looks into her leadership effectiveness within the department, with Deputy Chief Adam Henney stepping in as interim chief, as reported by NBC’s local affiliate WLWT5.
“The city is dealing with serious security issues, which makes stability at the command level essential. That’s why I’ve appointed Deputy Chief Adam Henney as interim police chief,” stated City Manager Cheryl Long. She expressed confidence in Henney and the department’s leadership, emphasizing the city’s commitment to maintaining service quality for residents.
Following the incident, Teetge criticized social media and journalists for allegedly misrepresenting the context of the video, which received significant backlash. This controversy has been compounded as four former Cincinnati officers filed a lawsuit claiming workplace discrimination against white men.
The lawsuit details various allegations of discrimination within the department, and officer attorney Zach Gottesman has referenced other ongoing legal cases making similar claims.
The viral video showcased the initial scuffle involving four men, leading to a woman, named Holly, who appeared to be severely injured after being assaulted and left on the ground.
In August, Holly claimed to Fox News that police did not collect her information or obtain a statement after the incident. She stated that officers were inactive at the scene, simply leaning against their cars with arms crossed while failing to question witnesses.
As of now, the Cincinnati Police Department and City Manager Long have not responded to inquiries related to this situation.
