By Jane Prendergast
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Cincinnati police union president who drew criticism for describing a man who died after a violent struggle with police as a "crackhead" lost his union job Monday night by a nearly 2-to-1 ratio.

The Monday night vote was a rematch between President Roger Webster and Sgt. Harry Roberts. In 2001, Roberts lost by 13 votes. This time, he walloped Webster 432 to 231. The presidency is a two-year term.

Roberts, 50, a 23-year veteran of the department, is expected to publicly discuss his vision for the union and its 1,020 members at a press conference this morning.

Vice President Keith Fangman said Roberts did not want to talk to reporters Tuesday. Fangman said there are "some very specific reasons'' why Roberts won and why he won by a large margin, and that Roberts would discuss those reasons today.

Fangman introduced Roberts at City Hall on Tuesday, including to Mayor Charlie Luken and City Manager Valerie Lemmie. They also met with Chief Tom Streicher.

Roberts was promoted to sergeant in 1993. His personnel evaluations describe him as an excellent shift supervisor in his most recent assignment on nights in District 2. He also commands the department's honor guard. He has also worked as supervisor of investigators in District 4 and on the horse patrol.

Webster followed Fangman into the presidency two years ago, after Fangman decided to step down and return to patrol work. Webster fought comparisons to the outspoken but politically savvy Fangman, who became well-known during the 2001 riots.

Some officers were critical of Webster for his comments after the Nov. 30 death in police custody of Nathaniel Jones, 41, of Northside.

In a press conference that was aired live with 50 officers flanking him, Webster called Jones a "crackhead." Jones' enlarged heart stopped beating after the struggle and an autopsy found cocaine, PCP and methanol in his system.

Webster, 49, can retire, Fangman said, or Streicher will determine his new assignment.

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E-mail jprendergast@enquirer.com