FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public Relations Contact:
Edward Jacak
edward@AccountableNoRo.com
440-941-5150
www.AccountableNoRo.com
Accountable NoRo Stands With FOP Call for Transparency After Lowe Firing and Rybicki Demotion
Group says residents deserve fuller answers, greater visibility, and leadership that addresses public concern
North Royalton, Ohio — Accountable NoRo is speaking out after new public reporting confirmed that North Royalton Patrolman Spencer Lowe has been terminated and Sgt. Flo Ann Rybicki has been demoted following an internal investigation tied to the release of police records connected to the October 11, 2025 arrest of Orange Village Deputy Chief Patrick O’Callahan. The same reporting states that Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 15 is now seeking binding arbitration to reverse both disciplinary actions.
Accountable NoRo stands with the FOP in calling for a full, credible, and transparent airing of the facts. In our view, public visibility into this matter has been minimal to insufficient. Residents we are speaking with every day, including many while collecting signatures in support of the recall effort against Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz, continue to raise concerns about transparency, accountability, and whether city leadership has adequately addressed what happened and why.
According to FOX 8’s report, the North Royalton Police Department says records related to O’Callahan’s arrest were released “without authorization and outside established procedure,” and that an outside investigator found police leadership did nothing wrong. But the same report also states that the union is directly challenging that conclusion, claiming Lowe uncovered evidence that references to a felony gun charge had been deleted from arrest documents and that those concerns were raised under Ohio’s whistleblower statute. Those are serious, competing claims, and they demand more public explanation than residents have received so far.
Accountable NoRo believes Officer Lowe appears to have been acting in a whistleblower posture by trying to preserve or expose information he believed was important to the integrity of the case. At a minimum, the public record described in current reporting raises substantial questions about whether termination was the right response. A city that values public trust should be extremely cautious before firing an officer in a case that so many residents view through the lens of disclosure, accountability, and possible retaliation for raising concerns.
We are also concerned that the City of North Royalton may be exposing taxpayers to significant future cost if these disciplinary actions are later overturned or become the subject of extended civil litigation or arbitration. That is not a legal conclusion. It is a reasonable public concern about risk, potential appearance of conflict of interest, stewardship, and whether city leadership is acting in a way that protects the community from avoidable financial and reputational damage.
Mayor Antoskiewicz should more directly address the concerns of North Royalton residents. This matter is no longer just an internal personnel issue. It has become a broader test of civic trust, public accountability, and whether residents can rely on transparent leadership when serious questions emerge involving law enforcement, city administration, and the handling of public information.
“This is exactly the kind of situation that causes people to lose trust in local government,” said Nicolle Cruise, Community Leader, Accountable NoRo. “Residents want straight answers. They want to know whether someone who tried to bring concerns forward was punished for it. And they want leadership that understands silence and limited visibility only deepen public doubt.”
Accountable NoRo will continue listening to residents, documenting their concerns, and advocating for honest leadership, transparent government, and decisions that reflect the values and best interests of the North Royalton community.
Accountable NoRo is currently leading a signature collection drive to secure a recall election to remove Mayor Antoskiewicz from office over these events. Their next upcoming signature collection drive will be on April 21st, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at North Royalton City Hall, located at 14600 State Road North Royalton, OH 44133. Residents who believe this issue deserves fuller public scrutiny are encouraged to stay informed, stay engaged, and support ongoing efforts to restore accountability and trust in city leadership.
About Accountable NoRo
Accountable NoRo is a grassroots Political Action Committee, registered in Cuyahoga County, made up of concerned North Royalton residents working to promote honest leadership, transparent government, and decisions that reflect the values and best interests of the community. The organization is committed to helping residents stay informed and engaged on the issues that shape daily life in North Royalton, including public integrity, safety, flooding, schools, development, and zoning.
Fox 8 News Report: North Royalton Police officer fired after investigation into OVI arrest of former Orange Village deputy chief