The City of Akron has laid a blueprint for what can be construed as a bold undertaking: to thoroughly scrutinize and, if need be, recalibrate its police use-of-force policies. This action, marked by urgency and possibly agitation, unfolds against a backdrop of violent incidents involving law enforcement that have left families devastated and a community in search of answers and justice. At the center of this crucial review is former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who, along with her team from the law firm Paul Weiss, is poised to collaborate with 21 CP Solutions, a policing consulting organization. Their goal? To unfurl the tangled web of policy and practice that guides the hands of those trusted to serve and protect.
In remarks prepared to foster hope and instigate change, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik expressed that "this comprehensive review is the most consequential step we can take as a city in improving our policy, practices, and culture around use of force and how our department engages with residents." This sentiment stands tall against a horizon laden with the shadows of past tragedies - incidents such as the 2022 death of Jayland Walker and the killing of 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker - which have severely to test the tenacious fabric of public trust. Information obtained from WKYC details these events, setting a solemn stage for the review that is expected to span five to six months.
Akron Police Chief Brian Harding, too, has stepped onto the public platform, deeply engaged in the narrative of progression and improvement. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, he proclaimed, "I welcome robust dialogue and engagement during this review." Brian Lucey, president of the Akron Fraternal Order of Police, added that the officers' involvement and perspectives will be "critical in the evaluation" of the department's policies and training.
Notably, the Paul, Weiss team, under Lynch's leadership, aims not just to audit the darkness of the past but also to craft actionable, intuitive steps that the city can to take to improve the complex relationship between law enforcement officers and the Akron community. A strategic review of past reports, such as the 2011 Police Executive Research Forum report and others, will be pivotal in providing context and insight. This strategy, reported by Signal Akron, is slated to include both expansive, city-wide public engagements and intimate listening sessions within the Akron community.
