It’s All About Blackwell

It was mentioned in a social media that Cincinnati Police Chief Blackwell is basically invisible. He has not been heard from with regards to the high homicide rate or gang violence in the city. As a leader he should be in the front of his officers, providing leadership and encouragement. It is my understanding there is not too much of this going on. Do not worry. He is a very busy man. He is out there, posing for photo opportunities and getting his mug published on Twitter. As an experiment I pulled up the Cincinnati Police Twitter Feed. I was going to count the number of times “look at me” photos were published since the beginning of the year. I quit counting after only one months worth of feed. Here is what was released on Twitter between June 25th and July 25. The comments in parenthesis are mine.

• Chief shouting out with officers, Citizens on Patrol, cadets, and clergy for safe for safe, weekend full of events.
• Chief Blackwell speaking about comprehensive plans for Macy’s Music Festival and special events over the weekend.
• Mayor Cranley kicks off Youth 2 Work celebration. (Blackwell at his side)
• Youth this summer learned financial literacy – how to save $$$ through work, balance needs vs. wants. (Blackwell on right side of group)
• Celebrating with our cadets and other youth employed through Summer Youth Emp Program with @yvette4council and others (Blackwell in background)
• Chief JB serving pizza for impromptu pizza lunch in Lower Price Hill. Showing love and being ‘True to 52’!
• Chief Blackwell, CPD joins @JohnCranley for the Mayor’s Taskforce on Immigration for the Rights & Safety Committee.
• Chief Blackwell providing State of the City address to CPD officers at annual inservice training.
• Chief Jeff Blackwell ?@ChiefBlackwell Jul 11
• Chief Blackwell and Cincinnati PD welcome King James back home to Ohio!
• Chief Blackwell, CBS/D1 Commanders Broxterman and John attend Operation Hospitality meeting hosted by Mayor Cranley.
• CM Stiles begins press conference. Acknowledges officers and Citizen on Patrol (Blackwell, Bailey, Whalen on officers in Picture)
• Thanks @Local12 Dan Cavins for your assistance at the ice cream social at the Boys & Girls Club in Avondale! volunteers.
• Chief out working on a beautiful Saturday with the Recruiting Unit on the Riverfront. Be a Difference Maker!!! pic.twitter.com/IFiM1IJAVG
• The graduating recruits applaud their family and friends with @ChiefBlackwell for their continuous support!
• Thanks to all the officers who organized and all who participated in District 4’s neighborhood walk in Walnut Hills. Blackwell prominent in the center of the group)
• Chief Blackwell attending Boys Hope Girls Hope Board of Directors Meeting.

Wow! Now that is a lot of self-promoting. To Save you the trouble of counting, that is sixteen photographs in one month, averaging a little better than one every other day. I should mention the Blackwell also has his own Twitter account (@Chief Blackwell) where even more instances of his face are displayed. Now I have to admit that I have never been a police chief so I probably am not qualified to comment, but I am going to do it anyway. Should not the Chief be promoting his department and not himself. Where are the photos of Officers who just made a great arrest? Or those officers who saved a life or performed some other heroic deed? Don’t they count? Why are there not pictures and stories about the many accomplishments of the fine officers of the Cincinnati Police Department being touted every day. Not only on Twitter but on Facebook and the Department’s Web site. These Officers deserve the recognition, they have earned it. They are the ones facing life threatening danger every day. The only danger Blackwell faces is that they may not show his best profile. Send their stories to me. I would be more than happy to publish them on this blog page.

Early in his tenure with Cincinnati Blackwell coined a phrase “True To 52”. Most people go huh? When they hear it because they have no clue as to the meaning of the phrase. Typically after the slogan is uttered. an explanation is provided that it means true to the 52 neighborhoods that make up the City of Cincinnati. People then just smile and nod, still unsure. I have a suggestion for you Chief. Change your slogan to read “True to Me”. That would require no explanation and would be more in line with the way you operate. Hey Chief, I hate to bring you the bad news, but it just ain’t all about you.

Those are my thoughts, what are yours?

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