Cincinnati Police Chief Sued Over Alleged Discrimination

Four former officers from the Cincinnati Police Department have initiated a lawsuit against Police Chief Teresa Tegge, claiming workplace discrimination aimed at white men within the department.

The lawsuit, filed on May 19 by Captain Robert Wilson, Patrick Katon Li, Gerald Hodges, and Andrew Mitchell, accuses both the city and Chief Tegge of engaging in “intentional and discriminatory practices” linked to sex and gender. The officers assert that they have experienced “harm” and damage to their professional reputations, as well as mental distress, which they attribute to the department’s perceived preferential treatment of women and racial minorities.

The lawsuit states that the city and Chief Tegge have actively pursued strategies to promote, advance, and transfer officers based on race and gender, allegedly to the detriment of white men. The claim argues that since Tegge took office, a racially-based promotion system has favored women and racially diverse officers.

The Cincinnati Police Department has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the matter.

In addition to seeking compensation for emotional distress, lost wages, and benefits, the officers are requesting jury trials and court orders to stop what they consider discriminatory practices.

Attorney Zach Gottesman, representing the officers, mentioned that there have been numerous instances of what he calls overt discrimination against white men within the police department and city. He referenced other lawsuits filed against the city and department that allege similar discriminatory behavior.

“These cases illustrate a pattern of systemic discrimination against white individuals, especially white males, regarding promotions and workplace treatment by the City of Cincinnati,” Gottesman stated. He called attention to prior judicial rulings that condemn discrimination based on race and gender, arguing that the city continues to depend on policies that foster unfair treatment.

Earlier in 2025, the city settled with a white police officer by paying $95,000 over comments made by supervisors regarding white individuals. A federal judge had ruled in 2021 that the police department couldn’t use race or gender quotas in hiring or promotions.

Chief Tegge has been in the spotlight following a violent altercation in Cincinnati. Footage circulating on social media showed a group of men pinning someone down while a female bystander was inadvertently knocked unconscious. During a recent press conference, Tegge criticized social media users for allegedly twisting the incident and claimed journalists failed to capture the full context.

“What we see on social media is just one narrative, which doesn’t cover the whole incident,” Tegge noted. She emphasized that such misrepresentations complicate the department’s investigations and law enforcement efforts, making their work increasingly challenging.

As of now, five individuals have been charged in connection with the violent incident, and more charges are anticipated against additional suspects.