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Cincinnati to Hear Teresa Theetge Appeal on Nov. 30

The former police chief will have an appeal hearing following her dismissal from the department earlier this year.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Law Enforcement

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Former Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge is scheduled for an appeal hearing on November 30 regarding her dismissal from the police department. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The city of Cincinnati has scheduled an appeal hearing for former Police Chief Teresa Theetge for Nov. 30. Theetge was dismissed from her role in April 2026 following an investigation into her leadership.

Why it matters

The hearing stems from a third-party investigation that cited concerns regarding Theetge's ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across departments. City Manager Sheryl Long initiated the process, citing a need for modernized policing following a series of high-profile local incidents.

The appeal follows an investigation by law firm FBT Gibbons that concluded in March 2026. Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie continues to oversee the department following the dismissal.

The players

Teresa Theetge

She is the former Cincinnati Police Chief who served as a police officer for 35 years before her dismissal.

Sheryl Long

She is the Cincinnati City Manager who dismissed the police chief in April 2026.

Adam Hennie

He is the current Assistant Police Chief who was appointed to serve as the interim police chief.

FBT Gibbons

This is the third-party law firm hired by the city to conduct an investigation into police leadership.

The details

The city engaged FBT Gibbons in October 2025 to investigate leadership effectiveness following urban shootings and a brawl involving seven individuals. The findings alleged that Theetge struggled with interdepartmental collaboration, leading to her removal by the city manager.

Timeline

  1. October 2025: Investigation into leadership effectiveness began.

  2. March 2026: The third-party leadership investigation concluded.

  3. April 2026: Teresa Theetge was dismissed from her position.

  4. November 30, 2026: The appeal hearing is scheduled to take place.

Legal Context

The appeal hearing follows the formal disciplinary process established during the 2026 Cincinnati police leadership investigation. This case reflects broader municipal trends in evaluating law enforcement effectiveness following periods of increased civil unrest.

Residents should anticipate updates regarding department leadership as the city moves toward the Nov. 30 hearing. The appointment of an interim chief remains in effect until the appeal process is resolved.

The takeaway

The appeal marks a significant turning point in the city's effort to restructure its police leadership following past public safety challenges. Observers will be looking to see if the hearing validates the original findings or results in further procedural changes for the department.

Further reading

For more information on departmental oversight, visit the Cincinnati Law Enforcement portal.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox19.

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Should local police leadership be held to evolving performance standards rather than traditional authority models?