Sharon Coolidge

scoolidge@enquirer.com

Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell has a message for his rank and file and it doesn't have anything to do with actual policing.

He's asking staff for "decorum" in electronic messages – and that includes calling him "chief" or "sir."

The day-to-day casualness is "becoming a bit much."

The request, made Monday in an e-mail to all police employees from Lt. Emmett Gladden, was obtained by The Enquirer.

After a story appeared on Cincinnati.com Tuesday, Blackwell sent a clarification.

In it he wrote that his message was being "taken out of context as it relates to military courtesy and discipline."

He was simply asking officers to adhere to long-standing rules, he said.

"'Attention to detail' is a very important core value that I follow as your chief," he wrote. "Please continue with the dedicated commitment to service and professionalism that has separated and elevated this department as the finest in the Nation!"

Cincinnati Police Union President Kathy Harrell said she's received complaints from "officers chastised by chief for not saluting while on duty."

In the complaints, the officers said they meant no disrespect; they were just doing their job at the time.

"This has been discussed the last several months at (union) executive board," Harrell said.

Change in leadership is, in part, what prompted the e-mail.

Under long-time Police Chief Tom Streicher saluting and wearing hats was required. When he was replaced by Chief James Craig in 2011, Craig imposed a more casual work environment.

When he left in 2013, Capt. Paul Humphries became the interim chief. He was in the running for the job, but it ultimately went to Blackwell.

The chief, on the job a year this month, believes "the small things indicate focus and give clarity and purpose to the organization," Gladden said.

One of Blackwell's first decisions was to restore an unpopular wear-your-hat policy. His theory then, as now, was that it was more professional. He also changed the summer uniform shirts to make them more comfortable, but still professional.

-- Reporter Jennifer Baker contributed to this report.

Read the e-mails:

To: CPD members

Sent: Monday

Subject line: Professional Decorum Using Email

"Good afternoon all, Chief Blackwell would like for me to remind you all to be mindful of your professional decorum as it pertain(sic) to email and/or any other form of electronic message communications. Regardless of rank, all personnel should begin their correspondence to the Chief with "Sir" or "Chief". All correspondences should end with "Respectfully" or "Respectfully Submitted". As noted by Chief Blackwell, the casualness in our day to day business is becoming a bit much. Thank you for your immediate attention in this matter.

Lt. Emmett L. Gladden, Jr.

Cincinnati Police Chief's Adjutant

The follow up:

Subject line: None that the Enquirer saw

To: CPD members, Sworn and Civilian

Sent: Tuesday

"It has come to my attention that the email forwarded by Adjutant Lt. Gladden is being taken out of context as it relates to military courtesy and discipline. First and foremost is the necessity for our personnel to adhere to the policies and procedures as prescribed in our longstanding rules. Military courtesy and discipline is covered by Procedure 18.125 and is essential to the character, efficiency, and effectiveness of our organization. The message was simply a reminder for personnel to follow that decorum. "Attention to detail" is a very important core value that I follow as your Chief. Please continue with the dedicated commitment to service and professionalism that has separated and elevated this department as the finest in the Nation!

Respectfully,

Jeffrey Blackwell-Chief of Police

Cincinnati Police Department

"The heart that gives, gathers" Hannah Moore

About the policy

Called: Military Courtesy: Uniforms, equipment and personal grooming

About: References rules related to hand salutes; call to attention; other courtesies; respect for the United States flag; and during the Pledge of Allegiance.

On hand salutes: "Hand salutes will be exchanged between supervisors and police officers, when in uniform only while wearing the uniform hat, upon every occasion of their meeting." There are five exceptions, including when such action interferes with the performance of a police duty; both hands are full. The policy adds, "Generally, a hand salute will not be rendered indoors, or whenever the uniform hat is not being worn." And it's not only superior officers, officers, when wearing their hats, are expected to salute the mayor and city manager, except in the case of the exceptions.

-- Reporter Jennifer Baker contributed to this report.