The city of Cincinnati has hired law firm Frost Brown Todd to conduct the investigation surrounding Police Chief Teresa Theetge鈥檚 leadership.
City Manager Sheryl Long placed Chief Theetge on paid leave last week, pending an internal investigation into the effectiveness of her leadership.
A city spokesperson later confirmed the City Solicitor鈥檚 Office would engage outside counsel to "ensure a timely, fair and thorough process."
A statement from Long's office on Oct. 23 said the process will take "the amount of time necessary to ensure it is managed with integrity, accuracy and thoroughness."
"The City is committed to a fair process, stable leadership, and maintaining the trust and safety of the community it serves," the statement says. Mayor Aftab Pureval told reporters last week the full investigation is expected to take months.
The contract will cost less than $50,000, paid from previously appropriated funds in the Law Department.
Assistant Police Chief Adam Hennie is serving as Interim Chief. Long's office says Hennie is expanding the bike patrol unit, establishing a full-time SWAT team, and integrating technology systems under one unit.
Theetge鈥檚 attorney has said Long and Mayor Aftab Pureval are using the chief as a political scapegoat and that they vetoed several proposals Theetge had put forward to curb crime.
Pureval has denied the allegations. He says he did not direct Long to make this decision, although he supports it. Long declined to answer WVXU's questions regarding the allegations.
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