BY LISA DONOVAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The city of Cincinnati is poised to promote the first African-American to the position of assistant police chief.
Capt. Ronald Twitty will be moved into the slot Sunday.
"I believe that Twitty is well-liked in the police division, and it can only have a positive impact -- not only within the police division but the entire community," said Councilman Dwight Tillery.
He and council members Minette Cooper and Charlie Winburn met twice with city officials in as many months about Capt. Twitty's promotion.
"I think undoubtedly this will be important in terms of beginning to bridge some of the difficulties," Mr. Tillery said of improving race relations between the black community and the police division. Capt. Twitty, 47, has been a member of the force for 25 years. His current title is second-shift night chief - ombudsman.
As a night chief, he has responsibility for the entire city during the 3 to 11 p.m. shift. As ombudsman, he serves both as an advocate and troubleshooter in the community.
A series of moves paved the way for Capt. Twitty's promotion. The impending retirement of Lt. Col. Ted Schoch, an assistant police chief, will leave a vacancy. Capt. Richard Biehl, next in line on the "eligibility list" for the job, will fill it.
Normally, a vacancy is filled with one officer, but requirements of a court consent decree call for the position to be "double-filled." Specifically, the consent decree requires one-quarter of Cincinnati's police promotions to be filled by women or African-American officers, said Deputy Safety Director Rodney Prince. Assistant chiefs earn $74,517 to $77,882.
It seems to be a week of firsts for the city and police division. On Wednesday, city council approved creation of the position of civilian police academy manager.
Lt. Col. Schoch, whose last day is today, will take that job. City Manager John Shirey had pitched the idea of the civilian position.
"The best part of this is we keep a 33-year veteran," Mr. Shirey said of Lt. Col. Schoch, who will start the job in August. He will earn $71,000 a year.
