Latest news with #CincinnatiPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cincinnati police officers sue city, chief alleging bias against White lieutenants
Several high-ranking Cincinnati police officers are suing the city and Police Chief Teresa Theetge on claims the department's leadership is discriminating against White lieutenants in making assignment decisions. The lawsuit, filed on May 19 in federal court in Cincinnati, alleges the city and Theetge discriminated against Capt. Robert Wilson and lieutenants Patrick Caton, Gerald Hodges and Andrew Mitchell by favoring women and persons of color for preferred assignments. The officers say they were skipped over for such assignments, which are generally regarded within the department as career-enhancing and include benefits like take-home cars and additional overtime opportunities. More: Cincinnati expands youth events in effort to engage teens and reduce violence 'The city and Chief Theetge have actively and systemically undertaken efforts to promote, advance, and make promotion and assignment decisions that are preferable to women and minorities, and to the exclusion of White men,' the lawsuit states. Cincinnati spokeswoman Mollie Lair said the city doesn't comment on pending litigation. A spokesperson for the Cincinnati Police Department also declined to comment. The lawsuit is seeking a jury trial and damages, including lost wages and benefits, as well as a court order halting the department's alleged discriminatory assignment practices. According to the lawsuit, while most of the department's lieutenants are White men, women and officers of color were given preferred assignments at higher rates. The civil complaint also cites several instances in which White male lieutenants, whom the lawsuit labels as better qualified, were passed over due to race and gender considerations. In one instance, a district commander requested that Hodges be assigned as the district's investigative lieutenant; however, Theetge chose a Black female officer for the role, the lawsuit states. The officers filed discrimination charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2023. They were notified in February of their right to sue. Since Theetge was elevated to the role of chief, 'there has been significant discrimination directed against White males regarding these assignments,' the officers wrote in their EEOC complaints. The lawsuit also claims that a race-based quota system was used to promote women and non-White officers to the rank of lieutenant, with the department's leadership continuing to make assignment decisions based solely on race and gender. A federal judge ruled in 2021 that the department could no longer use race- or sex-based goals in hiring or when awarding promotions. Those goals were related to a consent decree from 1981 that was intended to address discrimination against Black people and women in both hiring as well as promotions. This isn't the first time White officers have filed suit against the department over alleged discriminatory behavior. Earlier this year, the city paid a $95,000 settlement to a White police officer who sued over comments about White people made by her supervisor and colleagues. In 2021, a federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by two White Cincinnati police officers who alleged a Black lieutenant was 'vindictive and openly racist.' The officers said the lieutenant discriminated against them and created a hostile work environment based on race and sex. Enquirer staff writer Kevin Grasha contributed. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: White Cincinnati police officers sue city, chief alleging racial bias
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Here's what we know about all the investigations into the death of Ryan Hinton
18-year-old Ryan Hinton was shot and killed after multiple Cincinnati police officers approached a stolen car on May 1. Hinton and three other people were in the vehicle and fled on foot as police approached, according to body camera footage of the shooting. The body camera is shaky. It is difficult, if not impossible, to tell where the gun was pointed. It is also challenging to judge the positions of all the officers in relation to where Hinton was. The whole incident took place in six seconds. More: Cincinnati police: 12 fatal shootings since 2015, no criminal charges for officers Advocates have called for transparency and a full review of the shooting, but so far, both officials and activists alike have asked the public for patience as the investigations take place. Here's what we know of all those efforts: The Cincinnati Police Department is conducting two investigations: an administrative investigation by the internal affairs section and a criminal investigation by the homicide unit. The administrative investigation is focused on whether the department's policies or procedures were violated. Police will gather all the evidence they would normally gather for any other homicide. The investigators can interview all the police officers involved. If they are being questioned as part of the criminal investigation, the officers don't have to answer questions. But they can be compelled to answer questions for the administrative investigation under threat of discipline. They will also have access to the prior records of the officers involved. The identity of the officers has not been made public. When the administrative investigation is over, the chief and other leaders at the department will determine if there have been policy or procedure violations, and if so, they can discipline officers. The homicide investigation is typically turned over to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, where a decision will be made on whether any criminal charges should be filed. Fanon Rucker, one of the attorneys representing the Hinton family, called it "a little outrageous" that Cincinnati police are investigating themselves. Cincinnati's answer to the independent investigation question is usually the Citizen Complaint Authority. The CCA was established as part of the Collaborative Agreement, which was a landmark contract between the city, the police and the community. The agreement came after the fatal shooting of Timothy Thomas and days of civil unrest. The CCA is an "independent and impartial forum" for the investigation of serious interventions by police officers, according to the agency's website. The CCA has subpoena powers. That means it can compel officers to submit to interviews and answer questions. The investigators can also gather their own evidence, interview witnesses and review evidence like body camera footage. At the end of the investigation, the CCA could determine that an officer has broken the law, but usually, the agency will issue findings about whether or not policies or procedures have been violated. The CCA will publish its findings and send them to the City Manager's Office, which has administrative power over the police department. However, the CCAs' recommendations are not binding. The police and city manager do not have to follow through on them. Rucker said the CCA is lacking solid leadership at the moment and questioned the agency's ability to tackle a case of this magnitude. An interim director was appointed in March 2024, but a permanent director has not yet been named. Michael Wright and Fanon Rucker are among the lawyers at the Cochran Firm who are representing the Hinton family. They have not made any accusations against the officers involved in Hinton's death, but said they are fighting to get answers for the family. Rucker said his firm's investigation is a civil matter rather than a criminal one. Civil lawsuits never end in jail sentences. They typically end in fines or monetary settlements, and Rucker noted that the settlements in these cases can often involve changes to police policies and practices. He said that the Collaborative Agreement itself came about, in part, due to civil lawsuits filed against Cincinnati. Prior to filing a lawsuit, Rucker's access to evidence will be limited. He said his firm does hire private investigators and files public records requests. He said after a suit is filed, more documents and evidence can be accessed. The burden of proof in civil court is different. In criminal court, prosecutors must prove things "beyond a reasonable doubt," but civil court juries only need a "preponderance of evidence." Rucker said that's like the difference between 99% sure and 51%. The prosecutor's office will also likely do some of its own investigating into what happened, though the office typically collaborates closely with police. Mark Krumbein has practiced law in Cincinnati for about 40 years. He said the prosecutor's office has investigators, typically retired homicide detectives, on staff. They can seek out witnesses and review evidence themselves. But Krumbein warned that it is hard to predict how new Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich will proceed. "This is the first time they've faced something of this magnitude, so it's hard to say how they'll handle it," he said. After the investigations, it will be up to Pillich to press charges or not. She could decide on her own that nothing criminal happened, or she could take the case to a grand jury. Then a grand jury would decide whether or not to indict. Dozens of agencies across Ohio call in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to review police shootings. Some police departments even have a standing agreement with BCI. BCI must be invited to investigate incidents. The Cincinnati Police Department has never asked the agency to investigate a fatal police shooting. The bureau cannot, by law, declare whether an officer committed a crime or committed any wrongdoing. It cannot bring charges against officers. BCI investigations are turned over to county prosecutors, who then decide if any crimes have been committed. Cincinnati's police union president Ken Kober argued that the public would be even more frustrated with a BCI investigation. "The reason that we handle this in-house is for transparency," Kober said. If BCI was investigating, Kober said body camera footage and details about the incident wouldn't be released until the state finished its investigation. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: A look at each investigation into the police shooting of Ryan Hinton
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
DNA from 2023 Florida sex crime leads to arrest in Ohio
Cocoa Beach police say they've found the suspect in a sexual battery that happened more than two years ago, and he's from Ohio. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police said the investigation began in January 2023 when a woman reported the attack, our sister station WFTV in Orlando reported. Detectives got new DNA evidence in January 2025, so they coordinated with the Cincinnati Police Department in Ohio to get a DNA sample from a potential suspect. TRENDING STORIES: At least 2 injured after shooting results in crash in Springfield Newlyweds receive Amazon gift cards before groom's deployment, company says they won't honor them 13 students injured after school bus drives off busy state route Forensic analysis of that DNA led to an arrest warrant for Brendon Alladin Miller, 33, of Ohio. He was taken into custody in Cincinnati on Tuesday. The Cocoa Beach Police Department said Miller will be extradited to the extradition to the Brevard County jail in Florida on charges of sexual battery and battery, WFTV reported. 'The Cocoa Beach Police Department extends its sincere thanks to our partners at the FDLE and the Cincinnati Police Department for their invaluable assistance. This case serves as a reminder: if you commit a crime in the City of Cocoa Beach, we will pursue justice—regardless of state lines," the department said in a news release obtained by WFTV. Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Payne of the Criminal Investigations Division at 321-868-3344. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police group slams GoFundMe for Ohio father accused of killing deputy Larry Henderson
A GoFundMe created for Rodney Hinton Jr., the Ohio father accused of killing a sheriff's deputy one day after police fatally shot his son during a stolen vehicle pursuit, is raising thousands of dollars for his attorney fees. Hinton Jr. is charged with aggravated murder after he allegedly "intentionally" struck Hamilton County Deputy Larry Henderson, who was directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati during a graduation ceremony, with a vehicle around 1 p.m. Friday, according to Cincinnati police. The deputy's murder came after Hinton Jr.'s 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, was shot and killed by a Cincinnati officer on Thursday. Cincinnati Police Department Chief Teresa Theetge said officers were pursuing a vehicle stolen from an apartment complex when four individuals exited the stolen car and began to flee authorities. Ohio Deputy Struck And Killed By Father Of Teen Fatally Shot By Officer A Day Earlier: Police One officer pursued Ryan Hinton, who was allegedly armed at the time and hid behind a dumpster. When Ryan emerged from the dumpster, the officer fired, fatally striking the 18-year-old suspect, Theetge said. Read On The Fox News App Two other suspects involved in the stolen vehicle incident have been apprehended, and one remains at large, according to Theetge. Democrat Gun Control Push Persists With Reintroduction Of Assault Weapons Ban A GoFundMe titled "Justice for Rodney Hinton Jr and his Son" has raised more than $5,000 and aims to "help raise funds for Rodney Hinton Jr lawyer [sic] for the justice of his sons [sic] murder" and "also to stop police brutality against innocent people and children." A separate GoFundMe titled "Help Honor Ryan Hinton's Memory and Seek Justice," which aims to help the 18-year-old's family "seek justice for Ryan in the form of legal representation and a proper memorial for his life," has raised more than $7,000. The National Police Association slammed the online support, saying in a post on X that GoFundMe needed to take down the fundraiser because it violates the company's policy. Fox News Digital reached out to GoFundMe for comment. Los Angeles Police Hope To Reunite Firearm Owners With Guns After Devastating Palisades Fire The Hinton family's attorneys told Fox News Digital in a statement that the Cochran Firm "was hired by Ryan Hinton's estate to conduct an investigation into his shooting death by an officer with the Cincinnati Police Department." "We are in the preliminary stages of that investigation," the family's attorneys said, adding that on Friday, Hinton family members and Cincinnati police attended a meeting together "to view body camera video of Ryan Hinton's shooting death." "Ryan Hinton's family, including Ryan's father, was present at the meeting and they were understandably distraught as they watched the bodycam video," the family's attorneys said. "After the meeting with the police department, Ryan Hinton's father left in his own vehicle and that was the last we heard from him until learning about the tragic incident involving a law enforcement officer who was working a traffic detail near the University of Cincinnati." The attorneys offered their "heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of the officer who was killed yesterday." "This is an unimaginable tragedy for this community. Ryan Hinton's family is heartbroken by this tragic turn of events and we are all devastated for the family of the officer who was killed," the attorneys said. Ohio Franternal Order of Police (FOP) President Jay McDonald said in a Monday statement that Ryan's father, Rodney Hinton Jr., "intentionally murdered a retired deputy who was working special duty at a graduation just because he was a police officer." Henderson was a 33-year officer with the HCSO and served in multiple specialized units since 1991, including the dive team, HCPA SWAT, FBI Task Force Officer and the HCSO Bomb Unit. "In Deputy Henderson's early tenure as a Sheriff's Deputy, I recognized his talent for teaching and presentation," Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said in a Sunday statement. "Larry began his journey as a Sheriff's Office trainer early in his career. He developed an expertise and became an excellent trainer. Subsequently, he trained divisions of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office that included hundreds of deputy sheriffs. His ability to relate to and touch officers' lives was extraordinary. We will continue to honor Larry's life of service." Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine ordered flags be lowered to half-mast in Henderson's honor on article source: Police group slams GoFundMe for Ohio father accused of killing deputy Larry Henderson
USA Today
05-05-2025
- USA Today
Man whose son was fatally shot by Cincinnati police now charged in death of Ohio deputy
Man whose son was fatally shot by Cincinnati police now charged in death of Ohio deputy Show Caption Hide Caption See driver accused of fatally hitting Hamilton County deputy arraigned Police say Rodney Hinton Jr. was the driver of the automobile that fatally struck a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy May 2. CINCINNATI — An Ohio man charged with killing a sheriff's deputy with his car is the father of an 18-year-old who was fatally shot a day earlier by a Cincinnati police officer, authorities said. Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, crashed into a Hamilton County Sheriff's deputy who was directing traffic during a University of Cincinnati commencement ceremony on May 2, according to authorities. The deputy was outside his vehicle operating a traffic light at an intersection around 1 p.m. local time when he was hit. The deputy was transported in critical condition to the hospital and later died of his injuries, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said during a news conference while flanked by at least 30 law enforcement officers. Authorities initially withheld the deputy's name, citing Marsy's Law — legislation meant to protect victims of crimes — but later identified him on May 4. Hinton has been charged with aggravated murder in the deputy's death and appeared in court on May 3. He is currently being held in a jail in a different county east of Cincinnati for his protection, according to Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Tyrone Yates. The fatal crash came roughly two hours after the Hinton family reviewed police body camera footage of an officer shooting Hinton's son, Ryan Hinton, 18, near an apartment complex's parking lot, said the family's attorney, Michael Wright. Wright said he could not speculate on the intentions of the father, but noted that Rodney Hinton became distraught after watching some of the body camera footage of his son's fatal shooting. "He couldn't finish watching the video," Wright said. "It was very difficult to watch for the family." Officials said the Cincinnati Police Department's traffic and homicide units are handling the investigation into the crash. Tyre Nichols murder trial is underway. What to know about the deadly traffic stop Bodycam shows 18-year-old shot, killed after running with gun in direction of officer Earlier on May 2, Theetge held a separate news conference to discuss details of the shooting of Ryan Hinton. The incident began around 9:30 a.m. on May 1 when officers went to a condominium's parking lot to investigate reports of a stolen vehicle. Theetge said uniformed police officers confronted four suspects inside a 2021 Kia Telluride, which had been stolen out of Edgewood, Kentucky, but had GPS capabilities that allowed law enforcement to track the vehicle. All four suspects exited the Kia and started running from police, some in different directions, leaving the officers to decide whom they wanted to pursue, Theetge added. One officer started chasing the armed suspect, Theetge said, adding the officer saw the suspect's gun and called out to let others know there was a weapon. That suspect was later identified as Ryan Hinton. Ryan Hinton tripped but continued to run between two dumpsters with a gun in his hand, before he encountered another officer, authorities said. Theetge said police on the scene reported hearing the handgun fall to the ground, and images showed scrapes on the weapon, likely from when it fell. The other officer was pursuing someone else when Ryan Hinton emerged from between the dumpsters, according to police. The body camera showed the officer fired four to five rounds at Ryan Hinton as he ran in the officer's direction. While it's unclear from the blurred body camera footage, authorities said, the officer who fired the shots said in interviews that Ryan Hinton pointed the gun at him. Ryan Hinton was struck twice by gunfire, once in the chest and once in the arm. While there was no indication Ryan Hinton fired off any rounds toward officers, police said the gun was loaded with an extended magazine. Ryan Hinton died despite officers' efforts to provide medical aid at the scene, authorities said. 'We must address police violence': Video released in fatal police shooting of autistic Idaho teenager 'This is devastating' A little more than 24 hours later, police said Ryan Hinton's father drove his car into the sheriff's deputy, who was outside of his cruiser operating a traffic light. The vehicle that struck the deputy drove onto a sidewalk and into a light pole, where it came to rest. While the investigation is ongoing, Theetge said the crash was related to the May 1 shooting. On May 4, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 4 identified the deputy as Larry Henderson. Henderson retired in December 2024 after working 33 years with the Hamilton County Sheriff's office, according to a Facebook post from the department. He worked as a bomb technician and was a dive team member who performed water rescues and searches. After retirement, he continued to serve as a special deputy. He still worked traffic details like the one outside the May 2 commencement ceremony at the University of Cincinnati, where he was fatally struck and killed. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey described him as a 'tremendous person.' Others who knew the deputy took to social media to remember his life and public service. 'This is devastating. I had worked with him since we were young cops,' Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan said in a Facebook post. 'Always one of the first to check on and help you. You didn't need to ask for him, he was already there.' McGuffey previously said there would be a procession for Henderson. 'Our deputy will not be alone,' McGuffey said. 'There will be someone with him until the day that he transitions to higher ground.'
