Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board

Community members at Akron City Council on Monday compared the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols by police to the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker by eight Akron police officers just seven months ago.

This past year's top stories included area coverage that made national news, global stories that had local impact, and of course, sports headlines. This is Ohio, after all.

Akron voters approved a measure to amend the city's charter and create a citizen police oversight board in this week's election. The effort to get police reform on the ballot was led by citizens.

Issue 10, which was approved by voters in this week's elections, amends the city charter to create a civilian police oversight board in Akron.

Issue 10 will create a nine-member review board made up of citizens that would monitor complaints against Akron Police.

Issue 10, which would codify a police oversight board in the city charter, was sparked by the fatal police shooting of Jayland Walker, an unarmed Black man.

Akron City Council Vice President Jeff Fusco introduced a resolution to oppose the police oversite charter amendment during a committee meeting Monday, calling the proposal "flawed."

Some changes would require a new charter amendment, while others could be tweaked by city council.

The officers have been reassigned to internal administrative duties and will not be in uniform, according to an Akron Police news release.

The two different plans for a civilian police review board in Akron have similar qualifications, but the mayor's ordinance has more requirements.