Akron pastors oppose return of 8 officers in Jayland Walker shooting, criticize chief

In a letter to Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett, dozens of area pastors and others say officers who fatally shot Jayland Walker in June should be put back on leave until an investigation has been completed.

They are also accusing Mylett of breaking a pledge to the Walker family and of being "dishonest" when Mylett said he consulted with the community regarding the return of the eight police officers to office duty.

Neither Mylett nor the city administration was available to comment on the letter Monday.

The 43 signatories include pastors representing nearly 30 ministries and houses of worship, as well as Akron NAACP Chapter President Judi Hill, who was the first signatory, and other residents, including The Rev. Raymond Green Jr. of The Freedom BLOC, Lynn Puryear with the Akron Urban League, Beyond Expectations Barber College owner Eric Garrett and the Rev. Dr. Carl Wallace, chief operating officer of Abundant Life Farm, a nonprofit focusing on urban agriculture.

The letter also signed by the Rev. Robert DeJournett, senior pastor of St. Ashworth Temple and representing the Walker family.

Earlier this month:8 Akron officers involved in shooting death of Jayland Walker return to desk duty

The officers had been on paid administrative leave since Walker's death June 27. A criminal investigation into the shooting is being conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Akron Police Department is also conducting its own internal investigation.

The eight police officers, who remain unnamed by the department, returned to work Oct. 11 and have been reassigned to administrative duty after Mylett said he was facing a staffing shortage. Mylett said he will not name the officers due to threats to their lives. None will respond to calls, Mylett said.

Mylett also said the department is down about 40 officers from its budgeted strength of 470. According to recent department figures, there have been 28 total resignations and retirements this year, up from 26 in 2021 and 17 in 2020.

The letter's signatories say a staffing shortage does not justify returning officers to work when they are under criminal investigation.

"There is no justification for officers under an ongoing investigation for violating the law, working in any capacity – including desk duty – in an agency we entrust with enforcing the law," the letter states. "Whatever staffing crisis there may be, it cannot be more challenging than would be the erosion of any trust remaining between the community and police.

"Those under investigation for committing crimes cannot be in any proximity to a workplace where their crimes are under investigation. There is no workplace that would tolerate such an arrangement. "

Clergy Letter Updated 102422 by Eric Marotta on Scribd

Mylett accused of breaking pledge, dividing community

In announcing the return to duty, the department said in a release that the decision had been in the works for weeks.

"Weeks ago, various community leaders and other stakeholders were consulted by Chief Mylett and APD leadership," the Oct. 11 release stated. "We thank these community members for engaging in honest, difficult conversations. The consensus of these conversations was an agreement that this step would provide needed relief and support to ensure there are no interruptions in the services we provide to the community."

However, the letter writers accused Mylett of breaking a pledge to consult with the Walker family and DeJournett prior to making a decision on reinstatement.

Community reacts:Akron community protests after 8 officers involved in Jayland Walker shooting return to work

"Not only did you renege on this consultation, you have, on record, said clergy and others supported your decision. This is not true at all. Reinstating Jayland’s alleged killers is traumatic enough, but you have also falsified your conversations with our respected spiritual and community leaders. Your dishonesty about your interaction with clergy and other community leaders only serves to undermine their stature in the community they serve. "

The letter also states it is meant to be a show of solidarity, accusing Mylett of choosing "to besmirch the integrity of our spiritual and community leaders to create division between Akron’s citizens ...

"That you would assume this community is not fully aware of law enforcement’s history of efforts to infiltrate, divide and neutralize our community, is also an insult to the intelligence of every member of our community."

The letter concludes with a demand "as a community absolutely united" that the decision to reinstate the officers be revoked.

Eric Marotta can be reached at emarotta@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarottaEric.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron pastors want police in Jayland Walker case removed again