Citizens' Police Oversight Board
Criminal Justice
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
6:00 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. EDT
166 S High St, Akron, Ohio 44308 Akron, OH 44308 (Directions)
Akron Municipal Building, City Council Chambers - 3rd floor
The Citizens’ Police Oversight Board provides external and independent overview of Akron policing practices. They also oversee the Office of the Independent Police Auditor (OIPA). The OIPA will consist of 3 full-time employees including an Independent Police Auditor, a Deputy Independent Police Auditor, and an administrative staff member. The Board is made up of 9 Akron residents. Three board members are appointed by the Mayor with approval from City Council. The other 6 are appointed by a 2/3 majority of City Council. No more than two members can be from the same ward.
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Akron - OH Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Benjamin Rexroad
Review of deputy auditor applicants has begun and board approves executive assistant role
The Akronist
@akronist
Howdy #Akron, it’s Benjamin Rexroad (uh-gain!) and I'm tweeting my notes from our Citizens’ Police Oversight Board meeting held on 5.29.24 for #AKRdocumenters and @signalakron. They’re not live, but may contain some of my “in the moment” reactions.
07:57 PM May 29, 2024 CDT
Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any questions on the meeting or these tweets to documenters@signalakron.org
Did you know that YOU can attend CPOB meetings? There are a few options– in person or via live stream. (You can watch a recording of the stream immediately following the meeting.) You can find minutes, agendas, and all other info for their meetings here:
akronohio.gov/government/boa…
Before we start with the meeting proper, here’s some of @signalakron’s recent coverage of the CPOB:
signalakron.org/akron-police-a…
And here’s a interesting piece about #Akron prosecutors and a case that was investigated by the CPOB: #FreedomOfThePress #FirstAdmendment
signalakron.org/akron-prosecut…
It can be intimidating to enter the Akron Municipal Building where Citizens’ Police Oversight Board meetings are held (and City Council meetings) b/c you’re greeted by metal detectors & police officers. So far, every time I’ve gone it’s quick and everyone has been helpful.
Entering the council chambers, the board was lively- jovial even- with everyone chatting and making small talk. Two minutes before it started, everyone got quiet, putting on their serious faces. The mood in the room shifted. The meeting began promptly at 6 pm with a roll call.
Brandyn Costa and Shawn Peoples were absent. While not every member of the board was present, there were more community members present than last time. Including a boy who couldn’t be more than 7. #StartThatCivicEngagementEarly
After the roll call, there was a reading of the purpose of the CPOB. They did this the last time I covered the CPOB. It seems like a good way to remind everyone what this board is all about.
Next up: Public comments! A woman from @NAACPAkron Criminal Justice Committee spoke. She suggested that the Office of Professional Standards & Accountability conduct internal reviews of use of force incidents & citizen complaints rather than shift supervisors & their supervisors.
She also mentioned the shooting death of #JaylandWalker. Rather than just the executive summary, she implored the board to help release the full report.
Onto subcommittee reports… Did you know that the CPOB has subcommittees for human resources, governance, community engagement, & budget and finance?
Auditor’s Report: Since the May 15 meeting, @AnthonyFinnell, Akron’s Independent Police Auditor, has reviewed 4 uses of force incidents where he concurs w/ the @Akron_Police department findings, 1 incident where he concurs but has recommendations, & 6 in various stages of review.
Finnell cont.: Since that last meeting, they have received 3 citizen complaints. They are also still in process with their database & case management development. The job posting for the Deputy Independent Police Auditor has closed & Finnell will be scheduling initial interviews.
Recently, Finnell- along with board members Robert Gippin and Cati Castle- graduated from the Akron Police Citizen’s Academy. More info here:
akronohio.gov/departments/po…
Finnell will be presenting at the June 20 Ward 3 community meeting at the request of Akron City Council President Margo Sommerville (@Margos2003). If you’re interested in meeting him in person or want to hear what he has to say. It will be at the Odom Branch of @AkronLibrary.
Finnell shared the recs from the investigation into the Officer Ryan Westlake case. They’ve been presented to APD Chief Brian Harding. He will present his recs to the @AkronOhioMayor’s office and to the city council. The report will be on the CPOB site:
akronohio.gov/government/boa…
Governance Report: To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what this report meant. It was a little in the weeds. Something about a guideline v.s. a procedure. At the very least, I understood that whatever policy this affects is important to the work of the police auditor.
The community engagement, human resources, & finance committees had nothing to report. When this happens, it can be a bit of a bummer b/c it’s less opportunity for something exciting. But, on the other hand, it can be nice because it helps make the meeting move a little quicker.
The board entered an executive session to discuss staffing matters. That means everyone else must leave. Kind of like an intermission. ANNOUNCER VOICE: our regularly scheduled meeting will resume after you look at this glossary @SignalAkron put together.
signalakron.org/glossary-to-na…
After the executive session was over, there was a motion passed to “allow Mr. Finnell to explore the option of adding a position of Executive Assistant 1 to the police oversight department.”
The Chair of the committee, Kemp Boyd, turned the floor over to Tristian Reed, who is leaving the board. (Info in link.) She thanked the members, though she said she has more in writing for each person. The members thanked her. It was an emotional moment.
ideastream.org/government-pol…
#Akron: if my recap whet your appetite for all the juicy meeting deets, you can take a look at the recorded live stream here:
youtube.com/live/H9rYC0sd_…
The meeting adjourned at 7:02 pm. This concludes the #Akron CPOB meeting for 5/29/24. The next meeting is not currently listed on their website. Though there are committee meetings & the Ward 3 community meeting listed. For more meeting coverage, check out
akron.documenters.org
REMINDER: Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any questions on the meeting or these tweets to documenters@signalakron.org