CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval defended City Manager Sheryl Long's decision to place Police Chief Teresa Theetge on paid administrative leave after Wednesday's city council meeting, rejecting claims that the move was politically motivated ahead of the upcoming election.

"The election has nothing to do with this decision or really any of the decisions that we take in this office," Pureval said. "Our number one priority continues to be public safety."

The mayor spoke to reporters for the first time since the announcement, while Long refused to answer questions, continuing to avoid media contact days after launching the investigation into Theetge's leadership effectiveness.

Long only said "no comment" before rushing into a morning press conference Wednesday. After waiting an h

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