Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher ended an emotional debate over a protest Sunday at the city's police memorial when he came to City Council on Wednesday and said: “It's time for some of the silliness to stop.

Members of the police command staff listen as Chief Tom Streicher speaks before City Council Wednesday. (Craig Ruttle photos) | ZOOM |

        “It is time for some of the leaders in this city to stand up, stand tall and stop being factionalized,” he told a council chamber packed with 50 of his own top-ranking officers. “We extend ourselves to you with a commitment to excel at policing and to serve this community.”

        Chief Streicher's remarks came as City Council was about to debate a motion to call for a full investigation of the incident Sunday. It had erupted into a controversy that threatened to reopen the racial wounds that led to rioting a year ago.

        The protest marked the first anniversary of the police shooting of Timothy Thomas. After marching from Fountain Square to City Hall, some protesters walked to police headquarters and the memorial to fallen officers on Ezzard Charles Drive.

        Chief Streicher said he watched in amusement as the crowd stayed on the sidewalk and waited for walk lights. “They didn't even jaywalk. That's how orchestrated it was.”

Chief Streicher gets a hug from Police Lt. Col. Ron Twitty after his speech before City Council. | ZOOM |

        At the memorial, owned by the Fraternal Order of Police but on city property, protesters stood and shouted, the chief said. But he said police videotaping the protest did not find evidence of protesters spitting, vandalizing or otherwise defacing the memorial.

        In short: The protest may have been inappropriate and offensive, but not illegal, the chief said.

        He said he was proud of police officers who maintained their composure even as protesters “disrespected” officers' fallen comrades.

        “Whenever you wear this uniform, your position must be one of neutrality. Period,” he said. “When people are exercising their right to free expression, your job as a police officer is to facilitate that right.”

        The chief's 12-minute speech drew kudos from the city manager and council members.

        Afterward, in an effort to put the matter to rest, City Council quietly dropped two motions calling for a full investigation into the incident and apologizing for the city's role in not protecting the memorial.

        Mayor Charlie Luken said he wished every citizen of Cincinnati could have heard the chief's remarks.

        “For anyone who heard him today, there's a bright future for police-community relations,” he said.

        “This is a police chief who's leading the city to a better place. He's not being dragged there. He's leading the way.”
       
       

Chief to city: Calm down, stick to facts
Friends find remains of missing man
Mayor asks Cos, Whoopi for a hand
Too early to assess population impact
Alcohol screening today
City schools' building plan firms up
Justices consider lesbians' new names
Many object to weapon ruling
Mideast division continues here
MS society to honor man who gave $5M
Out-of-town fans say they'll miss music
Tristate A.M. Report
U.S. drug chief waves the flag
West-side transit explored
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: A worried man
RADEL: Lack of respect
British Isles Festival planned
Conviction, 1 mistrial in Butler
Hospital shifts focus to Monroe
Indian Hill may thwart homes
Land for new school to be bought
Man accused of molesting teens
Proposed wireless phone tower opposed
Tax hike would help repair roads
Charter school owes Ohio
Jurors still out in Traficant case
New multistate lottery expected to rake in cash
Prison numbers slowing
Voinovich to ask Justice for advice on profiling
Coal wastes spill into waterways
Kentucky News Briefs
Public hears road plans
Teachers-to-be take exam
Underground mines in forest opposed
Water main breaks unkind to businesses on Madison