City leaders push for more from Cincinnati police chief

CINCINNATI (Deb Dixon) -- Both Cincinnati's city manager and the man in charge of council's law and public safety committee said the police chief has communication issues. Christopher Smitherman put it simply; he called communication between the chief and his captains and assistant chiefs, "dysfunctional." Cincinnati police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell said, "I have full intention of being chief here; love my job and love this city. We're doing great things." Chief Jeffrey Blackwell said he doesn't want to talk about that whole resigning thing, he's got work to do. Some of it is what city leaders want him to work on."There appears to be communication, moral issues. Nothing I believe fatal nature; going to spend time on it," said law and public safety committee chairman Chris Smitherman. He has talked about it before; Smitherman said the chief doesn't meet with or talk to his command staff. They are some of the smartest police minds in the country who teach other departments about Cincinnati's Initiative to Reduce Violence and put Cincinnati way ahead of the country when it comes to data-driven policing.Smitherman said, "When the command staff isn't communicating effectively it puts the people of Cincinnati at risk." He continued, "What I'm speaking about has nothing to do with criminology; has to do with leadership and running the department. I'm asking for chief to communicate with command staff." Smitherman also wants the chief to reconsider how he deploys officers. Numerous cops are in special assignments and not on the streets. Chief Blackwell said, "I take umbrage to his suggests about what I should be doing. He should worry about being a council person."The city manager is concerned; he's asked the chief for a 90 day plan to deal with violent crimes. That could help with the communication issue. Follow Deborah Dixon on Twitter @crimestopperdeb, and LIKE her on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates