A Lorain police lieutenant who was shown the door in April 2025 is back in uniform after an arbitrator ordered the city to undo the firing and scrub his record. Lt. Cory Middlebrooks returned to the department this week for the first time in more than 14 months, a department representative confirmed.
Arbitrator Orders Reinstatement And Record Wiped
An independent arbitrator concluded the city did not have just cause to terminate Middlebrooks and ordered that the firing be rescinded and expunged from his personnel files. The award directs the city to reinstate him to the rank of lieutenant with full back pay and benefits, and to restore all rights tied to the position.
According to WKYC, the ruling requires the city to rescind the termination and make Middlebrooks whole.
OPS Probe, Misconduct Allegations And 2025 Firing
Middlebrooks was terminated on April 17, 2025, after an internal Office of Professional Standards investigation concluded his discrimination and retaliation complaints were not supported and recommended severe discipline. The OPS report alleged dishonesty, insubordination and poor performance, and it sent 19 administrative charges forward in the disciplinary process.
WOIO/Cleveland19 reviewed the OPS investigation and the records that city officials relied on when they moved ahead with the firing last year.
Union Grievance Pays Off At Arbitration
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 filed a grievance on Middlebrooks’ behalf and pushed the case to arbitration, arguing the city overreached. Arbitrator Gregory Szuter issued his award on June 5, finding the city had failed to prove just cause for the April 2025 termination and ordering both reinstatement and expungement of the firing from Middlebrooks’ record.
Chronicle-Telegram reported that Middlebrooks’ attorney said the decision includes full back pay and restored benefits.
Middlebrooks Back In The Building
The department confirmed Middlebrooks returned to duty this week, and the Fraternal Order of Police said he has been reinstated to the current rank of lieutenant. Union leaders and attorneys say the arbitration award restores the pay and benefits he lost following last year’s dismissal.
As noted by WKYC, Middlebrooks’ return caps a lengthy personnel fight that had become a recurring headache at City Hall.
Department Fallout And What Comes Next
The dispute played out against a backdrop of leadership turmoil. Then-Chief James McCann was placed on administrative leave the same month Middlebrooks was removed from duty and later announced he would retire rather than face a disciplinary suspension, according to city records.
The arbitration award requires the city to amend Middlebrooks’ personnel records, a step that could ripple through how the department handles and documents discipline in other cases going forward. WOIO/Cleveland19 previously reported on McCann’s leave status and the terms of his retirement.
