At a press conference this morning, City Manager Sheryl Long formally announced she has selected Teresa Theetge as the next Cincinnati Police Chief. Theetge is the first woman to serve as Cincinnati Police Chief.

“It’s about time a woman, one who has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to this City through public service, is rewarded for that hard work and appointed Police Chief.  Chief Theetge is very deserving of this honor and has my full support,” City Manager Sheryl Long said.

Chief Theetge has served as Interim Police Chief since February, when Chief Eliot K. Isaac announced his retirement.

“Cincinnati is the city I took an oath to protect and serve more than three decades ago.  As your Police Chief, I am committed to providing safety and protection to all our residents, stakeholders, and guests,” Police Chief Teresa Theetge said. “I understand the power of partnership and how we can’t move forward without community collaboration.  You have my word; I will never stray from my deep commitment to both the Cincinnati Police Department and the citizens of Cincinnati.”  

“Our Police Chief has a vital responsibility, and it’s critical that the process for selecting a leader is done transparently and with residents at the table. City Manager Long accomplished exactly that, directing an open application and hiring process that encouraged communities to play an important role. In Chief Theetge, our police have a gifted, barrier-breaking leader, who is ready to build upon her exceptional track record of service. This process resulted in the best person for the job, and I’m proud to continue our shared work,” Mayor Aftab said.

Details regarding her swearing-in are being finalized.

 

About Chief Theetge

Teresa Theetge has been with the Cincinnati Police Department for more than 30 years. In 2016 she was promoted to Assistant Chief and in 2020 she assumed the role of Executive Assistant Chief. Throughout her career, Teresa has had numerous assignments at varying ranks. Her experience as a member of the command staff includes Night Chief, District One Patrol, Central Vice Control, Internal Investigations, and Criminal Investigations.

While serving with CPD, Teresa also attended Xavier University, where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Organizational Leadership and her Master’s degree in Human Resource Development.  

Teresa is a graduate of the following law enforcement programs: Southern Police Institute (SPI), Police Executive Leadership College (PELC), Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEE), Senior Management Institute in Policing (SMIP), and the FBI’s National Executive Institute (NEI). She is also a graduate of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce’s Women Excel Leadership (WE Lead) program and Leadership Cincinnati.

Teresa and her husband Bob have four adult children and eight grandchildren.