Cincinnati officials say Police Chief Tom Streicher has repeatedly violated a city policy by campaigning on a ballot issue while in uniform.

        The city manager and safety director said Monday that the law department is reviewing whether any discipline should be imposed.

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        “He has been notified orally and that will be followed by a written memo to cease and desist,” City Manager John Shirey said. “I think we should keep politics out of public safety.”

        That's a turn on a phrase used by Chief Streicher and others in a highly public campaign opposing a charter amendment that would change how the police and fire chiefs are hired.

        At least four times, Chief Streicher — and other officers, including police union president Keith Fangman — have worn uniforms while speaking out against the amendment, called Issue 5.

        It would give the city manager the power to hire police and fire chiefs and assistant chiefs from outside the city, although they could be fired only “for cause.”

        Mr. Fangman said focusing on the uniform issue only deflects attention from the real debate over Issue 5.

        “If a mistake was made by wearing the uniform, then let's don't make the mistake again,” he said. “Then let's get back to the real debate.”

        It's different for him to wear his uniform, he said, because he is contractually released from the division so he can act as union president.

        “I don't know if there is a specific penalty,” Acting Safety Director S. Gregory Baker said of the chief. “It is a violation of the personnel policies and procedures.”

        The policy allows city employees to campaign on nonpartisan issues. “However, no employees may participate in such elections while on duty or in uniform,” it states.

        Mr. Shirey said all employees, including the chief, were reminded of this policy in a memo at the begining of the political season.

        Chief Streicher could not be reached for coment Monday.

        But he has appeared in uniform to speak against Issue 5 at various places, including a two-hour meeting this month with The Cincinnati Enquirer's editorial board. At an Oct. 20 police union breakfast, he arrived in street clothes and changed into uniform before speaking about the amendment.

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