City Manager Sheryl Long dismissed Police Chief Teresa Theetge from city service effective immediately on Thursday.
The decision followed the findings of an independent investigation into her leadership, a formal hearing with Theetge and careful consideration of the facts, according to a city release.
“I recognize Chief Theetge’s more than 35 years of service to the Cincinnati Police Department and to this city,” Long said. “At the same time, after completing this review, it has become clear that a change in leadership is necessary for the department moving forward.”
Interim Chief Adam Hennie remains in command of the Cincinnati Police Department. The city will provide an update on permanent leadership in the coming weeks.
Theetge had been on administrative leave since October 2025 following questions about her leadership amid public scrutiny of a fatal stabbing in June and a downtown brawl in July. As additional major crimes occurred, Theetge was called back to Cincinnati from a conference in Denver “to address departmental matters,” according to a statement from Long.
Ken Kober, president of Cincinnati’s Fraternal Order of Police, told CityBeat that Pureval asked Theetge to resign upon her return. Theetge, who had been with the department for more than 30 years, refused. In Cincinnati, the city manager has sole authority to fire the police chief.
After a month-long investigation by an outside law firm hired by the city, officials determined her leadership was insufficient.
Theetge was the first woman to serve as police chief in Cincinnati. She was sworn in as the department’s 16th chief on Jan. 9, 2023.