AKRON, Ohio — The application deadline for residents who wish to vie for the final seat on Akron’s Citizen Police Oversight Board has been moved to noon Wednesday, March 29, the city announced in a release.
The former deadline was Friday, March 31. Those who have already applied do no need to reapply, the city said.
The deadline conflict stems from “impending informational presentations and an initial organizational meeting,” which are set for March 31 and April 1, the city said.
The remaining seat must be filled by a Black man between the ages of 18 and 35, according to the city’s charter. Demographics of the Citizen Police Oversight Board became part of the city charter when voters passed Issue 10 last November.
The demographics are intended to ensure the review board accurately represents the demographics of city, according to those who authored the charter language.
The review board’s seats are to be filled by three members who are appointed by the mayor, while six members are to be nominated by City Council and approved with a supermajority of votes, which is nine of 13 councilmember votes.
The police oversight board was created in response to the fatal police shooting of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man who was shot more than 40 times after leading officers on a chase through the city last June.
The city is now preparing for the results of an investigation by the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Akron voters approved Issue 10 last November in response to the Walker shooting, creating a police oversight board the city had talked about for years, officials said.
All residents are welcome to submit an application, the city said, but “consideration will be given to African-American male candidates.”
The remaining seat on the board has been highly contested, as several council members supported nominee Imokhai Okolo, an Akron attorney who wasn’t able to get the supermajority of votes needed.
Those opposing him said they objected to negative comments he made about police on social media following the Walker shooting.
To apply for the remaining seat, download an application form on the Akron City Council website. The form is a writable PDF that can be filled out, downloaded and submitted via email along with a current resume to City Council.
Hard copies of the application form can be picked up at City Hall and mailed with a resume to 166 S. High St., Akron 44308.
