The city says the discipline is about records handling, not retaliation. The police union calls it a coverup of a coverup.
NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — The city of North Royalton has moved to fire the police officer who blew the whistle on alleged report tampering within his own department, 3News Investigates has learned.
In addition, a sergeant accused of helping him is being demoted. The officers' union calls the punishments brazen retaliation for exposing misconduct by command staff.
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz signed notices of discipline on March 16 recommending the termination of Patrolman Spencer Lowe and the demotion of Sgt. Flo Ann Rybicki from sergeant to patrol officer with a two-year ban on promotional eligibility. Both have been placed on paid administrative leave.
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 15, which represents both officers, immediately condemned the action and vowed to take the matter to arbitration.
The discipline is the latest chapter in a saga that began on Oct. 11, 2025, when Lowe pulled over Orange Village Deputy Chief Patrick O'Callahan on Royalton Road for driving 55 mph in a 35 mph zone and repeatedly swerving out of his lane.
According to Lowe's report, O'Callahan had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech, and admitted to drinking earlier in the evening. Lowe arrested him on suspicion of OVI and discovered three firearms in his possession. Lowe prepared OVI and traffic charges along with a felony charge for improper handling of a...
Grace Kang has worked as an attorney specializing in intellectual property and business law for 20 years, the last 16 in the greater Los Angeles area. A graduate of Stanford Law School, she said h...