Cincinnati police union expresses lack of confidence in Mayor Aftab Pureval

Cincinnati Police Union Expresses No Confidence in Mayor

Union leaders at the Cincinnati Police Station have largely turned against the city’s mayor, a decision influenced by the aftermath of a widely publicized incident on July 26. This viral altercation has drawn national attention.

In a statement issued on Monday night, Cincinnati FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) Lodge 69’s President, Ken Kober, voiced concerns about the perceived lack of support from the mayor’s office. Currently, the situation remains tense.

Kober remarked that this unanimous vote of no confidence sends a strong message. He criticized Mayor Aftab Pureval’s leadership, citing failures in supporting the police who protect the city daily. “These issues,” he continued, “from political interference to neglecting the welfare of officers and communities, require accountability and reform.”

The FOP’s statement elaborated on the reasons behind their decision, indicating that the mayor’s responses to significant incidents have been insufficient. Notably, they pointed out the span of three days between the viral fight and Pureval’s first comments on the matter.

The incident itself transpired early Saturday morning, while the mayor was away on vacation in Vancouver, delaying his reaction.

Moreover, Aftab instructed city attorneys to press charges against one of the attack’s victims, a 45-year-old man named Alex Chichelbinski. He faced accusations of disorderly conduct despite being hit multiple times during the incident. His lawyer has stated that Chichelbinski was assaulted 28 times before he attempted to defend himself.

Upon learning of the charges, Kober expressed disbelief at the “political interference” in the case, calling it the worst he’s encountered in his career.

The police union further criticized the city for not holding accountable the contractor Iris Roily, who allegedly interfered in a police investigation earlier this month. This incident ties into a broader conversation over the stability of bail laws after the viral attack.

In total, seven individuals have been charged due to their involvement in the violent encounter. Among them, six suspects are facing felony assault charges, while a seventh, Gregory Wright, has been implicated in robbery. Additionally, one suspect faces federal firearm charges, and another is accused of drug trafficking.