() The Cincinnati police union has unanimously voted “no confidence” in Mayor Aftab Pureval following a brawl last month that quickly went viral.

The Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police said the vote comes due to Pureval’s failure to address the incident quickly, citing “a series of leadership failures over the past month that have undermined public safety, police operations, and community trust.”

“This unanimous vote of no confidence is a clear message from our members that Mayor Pureval’s leadership has fallen short in supporting the men and women who protect this city every day,” FOP President Ken Kober said in a statement to WLWT-TV. “From political interference in law enforcement to neglecting the well-being of officers and the community, these failures demand accountability and change.”

‘This is a time to work together’: Pureval

Pureval said he’s disappointed in the vote and doesn’t believe the vote reflects the work he’s done with officers.

“We’ve had the backs of law enforcement, without fail, every step of the way since taking office,” he said in a statement to WCPO-TV.

Pureval also said he looks forward to “continuing to support all of our officers.”

“All of us have a common goal: the health and safety of those we serve,” he said. “This is a time to work together and continue improving safety in our city. We will not be letting up on that work, and we will not be letting up on our investments in law enforcement to make Cincinnati as safe as possible.”

Suspects face nearly 30 years in prison if convicted

A verbal argument broke out July 26 that quickly escalated into violence. Eight people have been charged so far. They face nearly 30 years in prison if convicted. These charges include three counts of felonious assault, three charges of assault and two charges of aggravated rioting.

Ohio’s aiding and abetting law is being used as the premise for these charges. Under this law, anyone who assists or facilitates the act of a crime, even without directly committing it, can face the same penalties as the principal offender. 

These charges come amid growing backlash over the city’s handling of the brawl. On Friday, the Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police released a statement citing “systemic issues” within Cincinnati’s judicial system. The association is calling for more transparency in how sentences are imposed, bonds set and which judges are making the call.