Akron clergy members and civil rights advocates have collected enough petition signatures to place a charter amendment on the November ballot. The amendment would strengthen the city’s civilian police oversight system, which was put in place after the 2022 killing of Jayland Walker.
Proposed Changes
The proposed amendment would require the police chief to respond to the Citizens’ Police Oversight Board and the Office of the Independent Police Auditor within 10 days of their recommendations. If the police chief rejects the recommendation, a “meet and confer” meeting would be triggered, and the mayor would need to issue a determination in writing.
The amendment would also give the oversight system subpoena power, allowing the auditor to subpoena records and compel witnesses to testify. Additionally, the Citizens’ Police Oversight Board would have more say in who serves on it, with the mayor’s office, City Council, and the board itself responsible for filling three seats each.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
