Cincinnati police chief fired over low morale, hostile work environment

Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell was fired on Wednesday, according to a memo from the city manager citing low department morale and a hostile work environment.

City Manager Harry Black also said Blackwell had not provided necessary leadership and had disregarded the chain of command. Black said morale at the department was at an unprecedented low and Blackwell's leadership style had created a work environment of hostility and retaliation.

"At a time in which our city, like so many across the country, is facing a dangerous spike in violence, we simply cannot afford such ineffective leadership," the memo said.

Assistant chief Eliot Isaac has been appointed interim police chief.

In a separate statement, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said the situation was untenable and "a change had to be made."

Blackwell could not immediately be reached to comment, but told local media the firing was politically motivated.

"The people of Cincinnati know what I've done, what I've attempted to do, for the good of this entire city, period," Blackwell told local CBS affiliate WKRC.

"So, everyone can see through the lines, the political shenanigans that Mayor Cranley and Harry Black have done since I've been here. I'll leave it there," Blackwell told the station.

Blackwell was hired two years ago, and had previously served in the police department in Columbus, Ohio, for 26 years, according to the Cincinnati police website.