AKRON, Ohio — Akron City Council is looking to fill a vacant seat on the newly created Citizens’ Police Oversight Board, announcing that applications reopened as of 10 a.m. Tuesday.
While the application process is open to all, city officials say “additional consideration will be given to African American male candidates between the ages of 18 and 35,” in light of the board’s current composition.
Applications are available HERE. Residents can also pick up a copy of the application at City Hall.
Once completed, applications can be e-mailed to citizenoversight@akronohio.gov along with a copy of your current resume, if available.
The deadline to apply is noon on Wednesday, March 29, and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Prior applicants do not need to reapply.
Akron City Council President Margo Sommerville released the following statement in connection with applications being reopened:
We are excited that eight members of the Citizen’s Police Oversight Board have been seated. As I have said before, the seating of this board is the realization of the residents’ of Akron longstanding desire for increased engagement in the community policing efforts in our city. It is a critical component of efforts designed to foster better communication between the community and the police, reduce public concern about high-profile incidents, and prevent issues by identifying areas of concern and offering options to improve policing. My hope is that once fully seated, the Citizen Oversight Board reflects the diversity and breadth of experience in our community including the perspective of those most impacted by officer-involved incidents.
During a special meeting earlier this month, the council approved Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan's three appointments as well as their own nominees to the board.
Mayor Dan Horrigan's appointments:
- Beverly Richards
- Tristan Reed
- Shawn Peoples
Akron City Council's appointments:
- Donzella Anuszkiewicz
- Kemp Boyd
- Caitlin Castle
- Robert Gippin
- Diane Lewis
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story on March 8, 2023.
Last November, around 62% of Akron voters said yes to Issue 10. The passed measure ordered Akron City Council and Mayor Horrigan to create new rules for a civilian police oversight board and police auditor this year.