The Cincinnati police union leader who spoke up for officers during the unrest in Over-the-Rhine and elsewhere soon will return to work in that neighborhood.

        Keith Fangman said Tuesday he will leave his job as president of the Fraternal Order of Police in December. He was unopposed for a third term, but decided against seeking re-election.

Keith Fangman, who spoke up for officers during the April riots, is leaving his job as police union leader. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        He said he wants to spend more time with his wife and three kids, and wants to get back to the reason he joined the department eight years ago — to be a beat cop.

        He asked Chief Tom Streicher to assign him to nights in District 1. The chief said he would grant the request.

        “I think it'd be good for him to get out and serve the people there,” Chief Streicher said. “That's what he wants to do.”

        Mr. Fangman, 36, announced his decision to the FOP membership Monday night. In spite of rumors, persistent for years, that he intends to run for public office, he said Tuesday he wants to return to patrol work.

        He confirmed that he has been approached by several people about running for Hamilton County sheriff. He said he would consider it “if somebody offered the job on a silver platter,” but he reiterated that he's not looking for a political post.

        “I've put my police career on hold for four years,” Mr. Fangman said. “I took this job to be a beat cop. I want to do that again.”

        He hopes to be elected first vice president of the FOP, saying he thinks that job would allow him to better balance family, police work and union involvement.

        He said he made the decision after working weekends in uniform for the past three months, several times in Over-the-Rhine. He worked in the neighborhood before he was elected FOP president.

        “I ran a beat in District 1 for two years, and I established an excellent working relationship with the people on my beat,” he said. “And I look forward to returning to serve in an area that I enjoy working in.”

        Mayor Charlie Luken, with whom Mr. Fangman has had public differences, said the union leader “has been a strong advocate for his officers. He's brought them a good contract and represented them with energy and enthusiasm. That's not to say we were close.”

        He also said Mr. Fangman would be “a good candidate for anything.”

        Mr. Fangman said he likely would stay in the job for a week or two after the Dec. 17 election for FOP president to help with the transition.

       Gregory Korte contributed to this story.
       

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