Cincinnati police union votes no confidence in Mayor Aftab Pureval after viral mob attack that left woman knocked out

"Tonight, the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 69 unanimously voted no confidence in Mayor Aftab Pureval, citing a series of leadership failures over the past month that have undermined public safety, police operations, and community trust," the union said in a statement, according to a report by Fox News.

FOP President Ken Kober said the decision reflects a belief among officers that the mayor has failed to support law enforcement.

"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," Kober said. "From political interference in law enforcement to neglecting the well-being of officers and the community, these failures demand accountability and change."

The union pointed to the mayor’s delayed response to the July 26 attack, where two white victims were beaten by a mob of minority individuals in downtown Cincinnati. The mayor, who was on vacation in Vancouver, did not respond until days later.

The release also claimed that Aftab’s decision to order the solicitor to charge a victim with a crime was done "solely to appease racial tensions at the urging of a few community leaders."

45-year-old Alex Tchervinski, a victim in the attack, was charged with disorderly conduct. While Tchervinski was captured on video slapping one of the attackers, his lawyer said that he was struck in the head 28 times and robbed while trying to defend his girlfriend and another friend.

“City Solicitor [Emily] Woerner and the Pureval administration’s blatant political meddling is the most egregious I’ve witnessed in my career," Kober told Fox News after the charges were first announced. "Overruling law enforcement and prosecutors for cheap political points is a disgraceful stain on our city, and those responsible should be utterly ashamed of themselves."

Seven suspects have been charged in connection with the assault. Six of them, Patrick Rosemond, 38, Jermaine Mathews, 39, Montanez Merriweather, 34, DeKyra Vernon, 24, Dominique Kittle, 37, and Aisha Devaughn, 25, each face three counts of felonious assault, three counts of assault, and two counts of aggravated rioting. The seventh suspect, Gregory Wright, 32, has been charged with aggravated riot and aggravated robbery.