Latest news with #TeresaTheetge
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
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cincinnati expands youth events in effort to engage teens and reduce violence
Free skating on the riverfront, open pools and weekly late night recreation center events are all happening for Cincinnati teens this summer. Cincinnati officials announced during a May 14 press conference that events and services would be expanded for youth this summer in an effort to curb crime and violence. Police Chief Teresa Theetge said youth crime is down this year in part due to ongoing efforts of police, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and other departments that engage with teens. Mayor Aftab Pureval said this summer, efforts are a continuation of that success. From Jan. 1 to May 14, shootings were down over 30% compared to the same period last year. Theetge said the city has seen fewer shooting so far this year than any year dating back to at least 2010. She said the number of car thefts and thefts from cars involving juveniles is also down. More: Dodging youth violence? Late night rec center events draw in hundreds of teens The popular Rec @ Nite program last summer kept two recreation centers in Avondale and West End open late on Saturday nights with extra events like club nights and parties. The center also hosted barbers, video game stations, food trucks and other activities. Last summer, the bigger events rotated between the two centers each week. But this year, both the Lincoln and Hirsch recreation centers will have large events every Saturday for 10 weeks. After Rec @ Nite served 3,000 kids last year, it received the Ohio Parks and Recreation Governor's Award. While the city is still measuring the programs influence on youth violence, ancedotally, police have said the events did have a significant impact. The Cincinnati Parks Department's Sawyer Point Riverfront skating rink has hosted events periodically, but this summer, there will be free skating every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Cincinnati Parks Foundation is even providing free skates. Skate Downtown Cincy is among the community groups helping drive this effort. Cincinnati Recreation Commission Director Daniel Betts said that city's 23 pools and nine spraygrounds will all be open this summer. Camp CRC has also expanded to 19 different sites offering youth programming geared at STEM, STEAM and other activities. Iris Roley, a longtime activist who is now the city's Collaborative Agreement sustainability coordinator, said now more than ever, city leaders are using good problem-solving skills to improve the lives of Cincinnatians. However, she leveled a challenge to all the city's community organizations - from churches and fraternities to coaches and community councils - to help with these efforts. "Our children deserve it," Roley said. "Let's assist." All of the city's Summer in Cincy programs can be found at online at This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati aims to curb crime with open pools, events this summer
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ohio deputy struck and killed by father of teen fatally shot by officer a day earlier: police
An Ohio sheriff's deputy working on a traffic detail near the University of Cincinnati was struck and killed Friday by a vehicle driven by the father of a teenager who was shot and killed by authorities a day earlier, police said. The unidentified Hamilton County Sheriff's deputy was fatally struck around 1 p.m. near the university, which was hosting a graduation ceremony. The deputy was directing traffic at an intersection when he was hit, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge told reporters at a news conference. The deputy was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he died. Democrat Gun Control Push Persists With Reintroduction Of Assault Weapons Ban He was not identified Friday. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey described him as "wonderful and dedicated." "I knew the man, and I knew what a tremendous, tremendous person he is and what a tremendous loss we have all suffered," she said. Read On The Fox News App Los Angeles Police Hope To Reunite Firearm Owners With Guns After Devastating Palisades Fire The deputy retired a few months ago but continued to work as a "special deputy," the sheriff said. The father of an 18-year-old who was shot and killed by Cincinnati police Thursday was driving the car that hit the deputy, authorities said. He was also taken to a hospital. During an afternoon commencement ceremony, UC President Neville Pinto called for a moment of silence in his opening remarks. "Before we get started, sadly, I have to report an incident that occurred today with a Hamilton County deputy sheriff on Martin Luther King Drive," Pinto said. "It was a very serious incident, and I would like to ask for a moment of silence to respect this officer." The Cincinnati Police Department is leading the investigation into the deputy's killing. The son of the suspect was shot and killed Thursday as Cincinnati police officers chased four suspected car thieves in an encounter that lasted just six seconds. The officers responded to a call around 9:30 a.m. about a Kia SUV stolen from Edgewood, Kentucky, when four suspects inside the car took off running, Fox 19 Now reported. One officer ran after one suspect, while the other officer pursued another. One of the suspects had a handgun, Theetge said. The suspect allegedly pointed the gun, which had an extended magazine, at the officer, who opened fire, fatally striking the teen. Two other suspects were caught and arrested, and one remains on the article source: Ohio deputy struck and killed by father of teen fatally shot by officer a day earlier: police
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Deputy dead after being hit by father of man shot by officers day prior
A deputy died after being hit by a driver in Cincinnati. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The person who ran their car into a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy working a traffic detail near the University of Cincinnati was the father of a man shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer one day prior, according to Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge. TRENDING STORIES: Connie Lockwood, WHIO-TV's first female reporter, passes away Have you ever wondered why people have blue porch lights in Ohio? Zelle confirms issues with payments platform across US 'The men and women that you see here behind me all knew our deputy and he was so well-liked, and so well known, to we could fill this building with the law enforcement agencies who love and respect him and his family,' she said. The deputy had retired just months ago, our news partners at WCPO reported. At the University of Cincinnati's afternoon graduation ceremony, UC President Neville Pinto addressed the crash and held a moment of silence in honor of the deputy. We will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 face charges in incident that led to deadly police shooting in East Price Hill
Two men are facing charges in connection with an incident that led to a deadly police shooting in East Price Hill on May 1. The Cincinnati Police Department and Chief Teresa Theetge will give an update on the shooting during a May 2 press conference, the department said in a news release. Theetge previously said officers with the department's fugitive apprehension team learned a stolen car was in the Westview Condominiums parking lot. Radio traffic indicated officers arrived at the 2500 block of Warsaw Avenue around 9:30 a.m. on May 1 when they encountered four people in the car. Theetge said the four people ran from the car and did not comply with the officers' commands to stop. Radio traffic indicates "three fled into the woods," and Theetge said police shot the fourth person. "At least one of them was armed with a firearm. Several officers gave chase," Theetge said. "One officer discharged his firearm toward the individual who had a firearm." The person died at the scene, Theetge said. She said it is still too early in the investigation to discuss whether the person raised his gun or attempted to fire at officers. She did not say where the person was shot. Theetge said two of the other three people were apprehended after a "lengthy" search involving K9s and drones. The third person remained at large. Documents filed in Hamilton County Municipal Court show Jurell Austin, 18, and Deanthony Bullocks, 19, were each charged with receiving stolen property and obstructing official business in connection with the incident. Criminal complaints state that Bullocks and Austin fled from a stolen 2021 Kia Telluride in an attempt to escape police and "a substantial risk of physical harm was caused and a subject was shot fatally." Officials have yet to release the identity of the person killed by police. After the shooting, Cincinnati's police union released a statement saying the person "pulled a semiautomatic handgun and pointed it at police." "Police officers around the country are trained to defend their lives and use deadly force when a suspect points a gun at them," police union president Ken Kober said. "When no officer wants to be forced to use deadly force, every Cincinnati police officer wants to make it home to their families." The department has not released the name of the officer who shot the person in East Price Hill. For years, the department would release the names and information about officers involved. However, in recent months, the department has been withholding that information, citing Marsy's Law, legislation meant to protect victims of crimes. This is a developing news story that will be updated. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: East Price Hill police shooting: 2 face charges, chief to give update
