AKRON, Ohio — Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan announced that starting Tuesday, Jan. 3, himself and Akron City Council will reopen the application for the new Citizens' Police Oversight Board.
“The creation of this Board has been a long time coming to Akron and I'm looking forward to seeing the impacts of this type of community involvement,” said Mayor Horrigan. “Seating the Board is just the first step. There will be a lot of work ahead for these Board members and I encourage anyone interested in making a real impact on our community to apply and lend your voice to this important dialogue.”
The passage of Issue 10 came on Election Day, nearly four months after Jayland Walker was shot and killed during an incident that involved eight Akron Police Officers on June 27 during an overnight chase.
According to Mayor Horrigan, the original applicants will still be considered for board positions.
The Board will be made up of nine Akron residents, three appointed by the mayor and six appointed by a 2/3 majority of City Council. No more than two members on the Board can be from the same ward.
To be considered for the Board, applicants must fall under the following categories:
- Attorney with criminal justice and/or civil rights experience
- Between the age of 18 and 35
- From the faith-based community
- Professional background in mental health services
- Affiliated with an organization representing economically disadvantaged and underserved communities in Akron
- Professional background in law enforcement
“We are excited that the Citizens’ Police Oversight Board is coming to fruition,” said City Council President Margo Sommerville. “The seating of this Board is the realization of Akron residents’ longstanding desire for increased engagement in the community policing efforts in our city. This Board will help foster better communication between the community and the police, reduce public concern about high profile incidents and prevent future issues by identifying areas of concern and offering options to improve policing.”
When do applications open?
Applications for the Board will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
How to apply?
- Online
- Applications will be available on the City of Akron's website and completed applications can be emailed to citizenoversight@akronohio.gov along with a copy of a current resume
- In-person
- Residents will also be able to pick up a copy of the application at City Hall (166 S. High St., Akron, OH 44308) beginning on Tuesday
When are applications due?
- Applications must be submitted in person or emailed by noon on Tuesday, Jan. 24
When will board members be appointed?
- City Council and Mayor Horrigan plan to introduce legislation for the board member appointments on Monday, Feb. 6, and hopes to have it passed by the end of February
Following the passage of Issue 10 in Akron, the legal team representing the family of Walker released the following statement:
"The family of Jayland Walker is overjoyed and humbled by the passage of Issue 10 (Jayland’s Law) by their Akron community. Since the 1960s, Akron residents have asked their city leaders for citizen oversight of their police department. Until last night, those requests had been denied. The passage of Issue 10 allows Akron to join a growing number of cities that have turned to citizen oversight panels and independent police auditors to review incidents of police misconduct. Jayland’s family is proud to belong to the Akron community, a place where Americans used the democratic process to enact meaningful reform in honor of Jayland’s life and others who have lost their lives to police violence. Today is a day for optimism, though there is much work ahead. This is not the end of our effort to hold the city accountable for Jayland’s death. It’s just the beginning. And still, today Jayland’s family celebrates the fact that meaningful change came to Akron."
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Oct. 12, 2022.