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Residents urge reinstatement, whistleblower protections while mayor seeks Attorney General review
Summary
Multiple residents and Accountability Noro members urged reinstating Sgt. Flo Rybicki and removing a 60‑day suspension from Officer Spencer Lowe’s record. Mayor Paul Marnecheck said the city has sent a letter to the Ohio Attorney General and the Law Department will review documents; the assistant law director agreed to research grievance rights under the collective bargaining agreement.
Multiple residents addressed the Safety Committee on May 19 to press for greater accountability and whistleblower protections within the North Royalton Police Department. Members of Accountability Noro and resident Sam Cruse urged reinstatement of Sergeant Flo Rybicki to her prior rank and asked that the 60‑day suspension remaining on Officer Spencer Lowe’s record be removed.
Sam Cruse said he believes actions taken against officers who reported concerns have had a chilling effect on morale and transparency and asked what safeguards could protect employees from retaliation. "If policies are going to be suddenly pursued against certain employees... that’s targeting," Cruse said.
Mayor Paul Marnecheck said the city has sent a letter to the Ohio Attorney General’s office (council to receive a copy) and confirmed the city remains in arbitration with Officers Lowe and Rybicki. "I’ve asked the Attorney General much like I asked when I was in the role that Dr. Gorjanc now occupies as Council President... the office is still functioning," he said.
Assistant Law Director Todd Schrader and Vice Chair Gary Petrusky described the role of the collective bargaining agreement. Schrader said he would review whether written or verbal discipline is grievable and provide legal advice to the mayor and council. Petrusky noted members can file grievances and the union’s attorney will advise on grievability.
Why it matters: Residents focused on internal police discipline, consistency of enforcement, and protections for employees who report misconduct; these issues implicate labor‑law procedures, arbitration, and possible external review.
Next steps: The Law Department will provide written clarification about grievance procedures and written warnings; the mayor will distribute a copy of the letter sent to the Attorney General, and arbitration proceedings remain active.
