The North Royalton Police Department has had some changes this year, from the top, down. With the retirement of Chief John Elek in March, Sergeant Ken Bilinovich was named new Chief. In addition, there have been some retirements in the department, which needed to be filled.
Detective Flo Ann Rybicki was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. She has been with the North Royalton Police Department for over 20 years. She holds an AA degree from Cuyahoga Community College. She started with the North Royalton Police Department as a part time corrections officer in 1995. She then became a full time police officer in 1997. In 2004, she began her work with the department’s Detective Bureau. Sgt. Rybicki began her new assignment as a Patrol Sergeant on June 26.
Rybicki is filling the spot vacated by Ken Bilinovich, who was named as the new North Royalton Chief of Police. He replaced John Elek, who retired in March. He was sworn in on May 11 and officially began his post on May 15. Bilinovich served as Sergeant since July of 1991. North Royalton Safety Director, Bruce Campbell said that Rybicki is the first woman to serve in the Detective Bureau. “This is a natural transition for her to move into a management role. She has a lot of experience as an officer and a detective.”
Earlier this year, Charles Redrup, Jr. was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was the first police officer to be hired under the federal COPS program in 1995. He holds a BA from Kent State University. Redrup was promoted to replace Glen McGraw, who retired in 2016. Redrup was promoted in March of this year.


In addition, there have been new patrolmen hired to replace those who have retired. The latest is Daniel McClintic. The new police officer was sworn in on Wednesday, June 21, and began working the next morning. McClintic recently worked at the Metro Hospital Police Department. The Department is currently interviewing for another patrolman position. With that hire, the complement of the North Royalton Police Department will stand at one Chief, two Lieutenants, five Sergeants and 28 Patrolmen.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer