Cincinnati Police Chief Fired

Cincinnati police chief Jeff Blackwell has been fired in the wake of continuing criticism over his strategies and leadership. City Manager Harry Black says the former Columbus police officer has not provided the necessary leadership to ensure a "cohesive operating environment" within the department. The Cincinnati police union had scheduled a meeting next week to take a no-confidence vote. Black says department morale is at an unprecedented low, and a survey of department sentiment show's Blackwell's leadership style created a work environment of hostility and retaliation. Blackwell says he has not seen the survey, did not have the support of city higher-ups, and was led out of his office today "like a common criminal." Blackwell was the subject of an investigation related to the 1997 Civil Service allegations made against then-Columbus Police Chief James Jackson. He was not charged with any wrongdoing. The firing comes hours after a national group threatened to cancel its state and national conferences in Cincinnati if the Blackwell is fired. The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice said it would pull its conferences over the next two years if Blackwelldoesn't get a fair review and is "removed from office without cause." Blackwell is a member of the association.