CINCINNATI — A retired Cincinnati police captain is speaking out against the city's ongoing investigation into his sister, Police Chief Theresa Theetge, one day after the city announced its investigation would be extended into 2026.
In October, city officials announced Theetge had been placed on paid administrative leave "pending an internal investigation into the effectiveness of her leadership." Since then, little has been said about the investigation, which is being handled by outside firm Frost Brown Todd.
The city's contract with Frost Brown Todd was set to expire at the end of the year. When we reached out to ask city officials whether they would extend their contract with the law firm, a spokesperson informed us that the investigation remains ongoing and the contract has been extended to Feb. 28.
Russ Neville, who served as a Cincinnati police captain before retiring, said the city administration should be "ashamed of themselves" for how they're handling the investigation into Theetge.
"She gave 35 years of high integrity, hard work, care, compassion, whether it be with the community, with businesses, or with the officers," Neville said. "And two individuals have elected to make a decision to part ways in a pathetic fashion with no justification that literally is taking a team of attorneys five months to look at."
WATCH: Here's what Chief Teresa Theetge's brother said about the investigation into her
City Manager Sheryl Long made the decision to place Theetge on paid administrative leave in October, then launched what has become months of attorneys conducting interviews and looking into any problems during Theetge's administration.
"It's not transparent. It's not the way to do business," Neville said. "And yeah, it's devastating to her image, integrity, devastating to the image and it's harmful to her internally, it's harmful to her family. It's harmful to the city."
Neville said the family has launched a Facebook page in support of his sister that offers "fact-based" evidence of the positive impact Theetge had on the city and police force. He directed his comments toward city leadership, saying they mishandled the situation from the start.
"You picked the fight. You did it wrong. You handled it wrong," Neville said. "And as I sit here, I'm speaking to the mayor, and I'm speaking to the manager, and I'm speaking to folks on council. You started it, and we'll finish it."
After she was placed on administrative leave, Theetge's attorneys said she has no intention to resign.
"They're looking for a scalp, they're looking for a scapegoat," attorney Stephen Imm with Finney Law Firm said one day after the investigation was announced.
Imm once again questioned the "charade of an 'investigation'" after the city confirmed it was extending the investigation.
"It is a disgrace that the city’s leadership is now continuing to sacrifice the career and reputation of such a dedicated and devoted public servant," Imm said in a statement. "Terri Theetge is a leader the City can be proud of. The same CANNOT be said for the people who continue to leave her twisting in the wind for no good reason. This sham has already gone on for far too long. Chief Theetge has already suffered far too much."
Neville said his sister will not resign but will see the investigation through, even if it means filing a lawsuit.
"We're not going away," said Neville. "She deserves better."
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