Akron voters approved creating a police review board a year ago. What's happened since?
Akron's Citizens' Police Oversight Board has tabled a proposal to forego launching investigations into Akron police's internal affairs until 2025 or when a new agreement between Akron and the Fraternal Order of Police is ratified.
Member Bob Gippin said the plan was tabled during the board's retreat Saturday because there's still debate about whether the board can conduct parallel investigations while the police department or the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an inquiry, and, if so, whether it's a good idea.
The Fraternal Order of Police's threats of litigation over the board's powers played a role in the tabling as well.
"It really all turns on the FOP's objection," Gippin said. "I think if they hadn't taken that position, there really would not be an issue."
This week marks one year since voters passed Issue 10. The proposal established a police oversight board in response to Jayland Walker's death at the hands of the Akron Police Department.
Initially, the board's formation was stymied by a dispute over nominees. Scrutiny of its role and responsibilities has continued in the months since the panel was filled.
Member Tristan Reed, who said she doesn't believe that the board has the power to conduct parallel investigations, objected to the amendment when it was introduced Wednesday. She urged her fellow board members to instead ask for a seat at the bargaining table when the city and the FOP negotiate.
On Saturday, Gippin said he would be open to an amendment doing just that.
Board Chair Kemp Boyd agreed that the board should be at negotiations, saying that it doesn't have the power to conduct parallel investigations.
Board member Brandyn Costa raised concerns that there hasn't been much chance for community input into the resolution.
"I do think it is potentially an issue as to whether or not we actually have the power to do parallel investigations and I'm not sure which way that coin flips," said Costa. However, he said, sending the rules with the resolution attached to council for legislative approval is a stronger negotiating tactic that could tip the scales in the board's favor.
Gippin will be absent from the board's Nov. 12 meeting because he's attending a national conference of police oversight boards in Chicago, so a vote on the resolution might not take until the first meeting in December.
At the board's meeting last Wednesday, Costa introduced the amendment to rules the board unanimously adopted in July.
"The thinking and intent behind this specifically is ... to create a period of time for the board, the city of Akron's Law Department, [and the] Fraternal Order of Police to come to some kind of understanding as to how the board's investigations play into investigations that are being conducted by the city of Akron," Costa said.
The compromise also takes into consideration that the board has not fully assembled the framework — including the hiring of an independent police auditor and staff — to conduct investigations, Costa said.
Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron police oversight board tables plan waiving parallel probes
