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Resident urges administrative leave for police chief; mayor says special prosecutor found no misconduct
Summary
A North Royalton resident on Dec. 2 urged the mayor and council to place Chief Keith Tarase on administrative leave; Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz said he received a special prosecutor's report finding no misconduct and closed the matter but said possible disclosure concerns will be referred to an outside agency.
During public comment at the Dec. 2 North Royalton City Council meeting, resident Nicolle Cruse asked the mayor and council to place Police Chief Keith Tarase on administrative leave while an investigation continued.
"We're hoping that you, Mr. Mayor, would do the right thing and place Chief Tarase on administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation," Cruse said, adding that she had emails from officers who said they were uncomfortable going to work and that "they have taken a vote of no confidence in Chief Tarase." Her remarks called on council to act and to provide public disclosure of investigation findings.
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz responded that he had received the report and findings of special prosecutor James Hofelich regarding allegations made by Patrol Officer Spencer Lowe against Chief Tarase and Lieutenant James Cutler. "Mr. Hofelich finds no misconduct by either Chief Tarase or Lieutenant Cutler. I agree with his findings, and therefore I have determined that this matter of the allegations ... be closed," the mayor said. He added that concerns about possible unlawful disclosure of confidential information and potential illegal activity would be referred to an outside agency for further investigation.
Law Director Tom Kelly told the meeting the report "speaks for itself" and said it is a matter of public record available through a public records request. Council members discussed scheduling a Committee of the Whole to review the report prior to the Dec. 16 meeting.
Cruse said she remains concerned about officer morale and urged council to "do the right thing." Council later held an executive session from 7:29 p.m. to 8:33 p.m.; the meeting reconvened at 8:39 p.m. and adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
The transcript records resident concerns and the mayor's statement about the special prosecutor's findings; it does not include the full special prosecutor report or supporting evidence cited in that report.
