Cincinnati’s first female police chief Terri Theetge placed on leave amid discrimination lawsuit and growing controversy over alleged anti-white bias
Cincinnati Police Chief Terri Theetge, the city’s first female police chief, has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation into her leadership and conduct, following a series of controversies that have sparked public outrage and legal action from within her department.
According to multiple reports from WCPO and FOX19, the decision came after a growing wave of criticism tied to a May 2025 lawsuit filed by four white officers who accused Theetge and city officials of racial discrimination in the department’s promotion practices. The lawsuit alleges that qualified white officers were repeatedly passed over for advancement in favor of less experienced minority candidates, citing what they described as a “racial quota system” designed to reshape department demographics. The case has since become a flashpoint in Cincinnati’s ongoing debate over diversity, merit, and fairness in law enforcement.
Theetge, who has led the Cincinnati Police Department since 2023, has faced mounting pressure in recent months over her leadership style and handling of several high-profile incidents. Among them was a July 2025 downtown brawl that went viral after videos showed officers standing down as chaos erupted, leading to dozens of injuries and damage to local businesses. Critics accused the department of poor coordination and indecision, while union representatives called the episode a “complete failure of command.”
Sources close to City Hall told local media that Theetge’s leave is part of a broader evaluation of departmental leadership following those events. The city confirmed she is on paid administrative leave “pending an internal investigation into the effectiveness of her leadership within the Cincinnati Police Department.”
The controversy has also reignited political tensions in a city where policing and racial issues have long been politically charged. Supporters of Theetge argue that she has been unfairly targeted by political rivals and the police union, claiming her reform-minded approach was intended to modernize a department historically resistant to change. However, critics say her administration prioritized optics over results and deepened divisions within the ranks by promoting based on race rather than performance.
Adding to the controversy, Theetge has retained an employment attorney as negotiations reportedly continue with the city regarding a potential exit package. Insiders suggest that while the city has not confirmed termination proceedings, discussions about a “mutually agreed departure” have been underway for weeks.
The timing of the move has raised eyebrows, coming just as national attention has turned to discrimination lawsuits in police departments across the country. Similar cases in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Baltimore have sparked debates about whether diversity-driven policies have crossed the line into racial bias. The Cincinnati case could soon join that national conversation as it moves toward court hearings later this year.
While city officials have declined to release details of the ongoing probe, community reaction has been swift. Conservative groups have called for Theetge’s immediate removal, citing her alleged “anti-white behavior” and failure to maintain professional integrity. One statement from a local advocacy group read, “Cincinnati deserves leadership that values competence, not quotas.”
For now, Theetge remains on leave, with Deputy Chief Lisa Davis reportedly taking over daily operations of the department. The outcome of the investigation — and whether it results in Theetge’s resignation or reinstatement — could have major implications for both the department and City Hall heading into 2026.
