They Finally Admit McCann Had to Go — But Let’s Talk About What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Jun 26, 2025
Editorial by Aaron Knapp Investigative Journalist
The Chronicle-Telegram editorial board finally said it: Lorain Police Chief Jim McCann needed to go. But don’t be fooled by their sudden clarity or by the city’s warm sendoff. This is a man who abused power, targeted critics, and used fear and retaliation to keep people silent — and I know that firsthand.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again now: McCann didn’t just cross the line — he built a career out of erasing it. And for far too long, city officials, the Chronicle, and others let him get away with it, even when he went after people trying to expose the truth.
Let me be specific.
I was the one who got the Police Department’s Facebook page shut down, not because I did anything wrong — but because I called out the mishandling of the Hildreth incident and spoke the truth about McCann’s toxic communication style. Rather than address the concerns, McCann silenced the platform. That was always his way — shut down the criticism instead of fixing the problem.
Then came more — I broke the Middlebrooks and Baez stories. I brought those truths into the light while the city tried to bury them under red tape, PR spin, and silence. They wanted those officers discredited, those stories hidden, and the culture of abuse protected. I refused to let that happen.
So what did McCann do? He retaliated. He personally harassed me — sending repeated emails, applying pressure behind the scenes — and ultimately, I lost my job because of it. A public employee was targeted by the city’s highest law enforcement officer for daring to speak up. And when it happened, they covered it up. They buried it just like they tried to bury everything else.
And what did The Chronicle do? Nothing. Worse than nothing — they helped. They ignored my side, glossed over what McCann was doing, and allowed their platform to be used to launder his reputation while he weaponized his badge and title.
Now we’re supposed to be satisfied with a retirement deal that lets him walk away with full pension, a vague “counseling” role, and a pat on the back from the city? No. That’s not accountability. That’s a golden parachute for someone who abused their position and damaged lives.
Let’s not forget what the Middlebrooks investigation uncovered:
- McCann said he wanted a “dirty cop” to take care of someone — and he wasn’t joking.
- Multiple officers feared retaliation from him — and for good reason.
- Investigators only found out because someone else spoke up — not because the system worked.
And yet, the city still sent him off with a warm thank-you. That’s not leadership — that’s complicity.
To the public: This fight isn’t about personal grudges. It’s about public trust. It’s about demanding a police department that serves the people, not one that bullies, buries, and betrays them. It’s about protecting truth-tellers, not punishing them.
To those still inside the department or city hall who know what’s going on — speak up. You’re not alone.
To The Chronicle: You don’t get to pretend you were always on the right side of this. You had the chance to investigate the real story and instead chose silence — or worse, alignment.
I won’t be quiet. Not now, not ever. I spoke out when it mattered, I took the hits, and I’m still here. Because this isn’t just about McCann — it’s about a system that let him thrive for so long. That system still needs to be dismantled.
#NoMoreCoverUps #LorainDeservesBetter #EndPoliceRetaliation #McCannWasProtected #TruthMatters #HoldThemAllAccountable
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