A high-ranking officer in the Lorain Police Department has been fired after filing complaints against the city’s police chief. Now, that same police chief is under internal investigation. This case involves claims of discrimination, retaliation, and misconduct — and it has raised concerns across the city of Lorain.
Corey Middlebrooks worked for the Lorain Police Department for 26 years. He was promoted to captain in early 2023. Later, he was demoted to lieutenant and eventually fired on April 17, 2025.
Before his firing, Middlebrooks filed several complaints. He said he was treated unfairly by Police Chief James McCann and others in the department. He made complaints in February, June, and July of 2024. He claimed the treatment he received was due to his race and because he reported problems inside the department.
The city, however, says that Middlebrooks was fired for poor job performance. He was accused of failing to complete duties, making mistakes, and not following rules. The city’s Office of Professional Standards (OPS) completed an investigation that found Middlebrooks had violated department rules 19 times.
Middlebrooks claimed he was treated differently than other officers. He said Chief McCann gave him tasks no other captain had ever done. For example, he was ordered to sit at the dispatch desk and help at the records window. These are usually civilian jobs, not captain duties.
Middlebrooks said this was done to embarrass him. He also claimed that Chief McCann showed his written reprimand to another officer, which he believed was done to shame him publicly. When Middlebrooks asked about it, McCann reportedly told him to “file a complaint.”
Middlebrooks filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in August 2024. The EEOC chose not to investigate further but gave him a letter allowing him to sue if he wanted. As of now, he has not filed a lawsuit.
The city’s internal investigation looked at documents, emails, personnel files, and interviews. The OPS report said that Middlebrooks was not being punished because of his race or his complaints. Instead, it said he was not doing his job well.
The OPS said he failed to:
- Prepare for events like the 2023 election and 2024 eclipse.
- Make needed schedule changes to help with public safety at Lorain’s pier.
- Communicate important issues up the chain of command.
- Complete his assignment at the dispatch center.
Chief McCann said Middlebrooks had more training and support than any other captain in recent years. He said Middlebrooks needed to be told what to do at every step and still did not meet expectations.
OPS also said Middlebrooks used “buzzwords” like retaliation and racism but did not provide strong proof. They said he didn’t report some of the incidents when they happened and didn’t file formal complaints about certain issues until much later.
Although the city’s investigation cleared the department of wrongdoing in Middlebrooks’ case, it uncovered new concerns about Chief McCann himself.
During interviews, some officers said McCann made troubling comments. One officer said McCann told him he wished he had a “dirty cop” to “take care of” someone. The same officer said McCann mentioned a former officer known for misconduct as an example.
There were also older claims that McCann had used offensive language in the past. One officer said McCann used a racial slur during an incident at a bar in 1999. McCann denied saying those words and said he would never use that kind of language today.
Because of these reports, the city launched a new internal investigation into Chief McCann. The investigation was announced on April 17, the same day Middlebrooks was fired. McCann is not on leave, but an outside investigator has been hired to look into the matter.
The situation has raised concerns about fairness inside the Lorain Police Department. Middlebrooks said he was asked to do things that no white captain had ever been asked to do. He said his office was moved to a former storage room and that his computer was taken away.
He also said that two white officers were later given the same job he had — but were allowed to share the duties. Middlebrooks had to handle the job alone.
OPS did not find proof of racial discrimination, but they did note that it was unusual for a captain to be given tasks like sitting at the dispatch desk. While the city says it was part of a training plan, others in the department found it surprising.
Chief McCann’s investigation is ongoing. No criminal charges have been filed, and McCann denies any wrongdoing. The city has not said when the investigation will be finished.
Middlebrooks is no longer with the department. His case has been referred to the county prosecutor’s office to consider whether he should be placed on what is called a Brady list. That list includes officers whose past actions may make them less trusted as witnesses in court.
As of now, no lawsuit has been filed, and no decision has been made about McCann’s future.
The case involving Lt. Corey Middlebrooks and Chief James McCann has raised questions about how complaints, discipline, and leadership decisions are handled within the Lorain Police Department. The internal investigations and the timeline of events remain a matter of public record, and the outcomes may have lasting implications for department policies, internal oversight, and community relations.