Akron committee backs mayor's plan to hire outside review of police use-of-force policies

Akron's public safety committee approved sending to the full City Council an ordinance authorizing the mayor to request proposals and enter contracts for an outside comprehensive review of the Akron Police Department's use-of-force policy and related community engagement, with the committee voting to move the item to the council agenda for a final vote this evening.

The review's supporters said it is a necessary step to clarify standards, improve training and rebuild trust after a series of high-profile deadly encounters. Opponents cited the city's tight finances and said the cost and timing must be constrained.

Mayor Mollick, who attended the committee meeting, framed the proposal as part of a broader effort to improve both department policy and community relations. "This is an important issue," he said. "We owe it to our community, we owe it to our organization, we owe it to the active police department ... to have the best possible policies, the best possible training, the best possible approach to those encounters." He also said the police auditor's office recommended the review.

Council members debated several topics during more than an hour of discussion: whether state guidance (the Ohio Task Force on Community-Police Relations and the Ohio Collaborative) already provides adequate standards; the proposed vendor-selection process; potential local partners; how long the review would take; and what city funds would be used.

Several council members who supported the review said local data showing numerous lethal incidents in Akron require an independent look. Councilwoman Linda Mobian said the review was justified by the pattern of shootings and other fatalities: "...we have had too many killings of Black men and boys in this city," she said, listing recent names of victims and adding, "I will support a review of this policy regardless of the dollar amount." Councilwoman Garrett echoed that concern and urged the committee to move forward.

Opponents questioned both the timing and the cost. Councilman Kamer said he opposed the measure because of the dollar amount and because he thought the administration was placing too much emphasis on the police department. Councilman McKittrick and others pressed for a local-first procurement approach, asking that the University of Akron and other regional resources be considered and that the RFP process be limited to a defined budget range. The mayor and city staff answered that the ordinance would authorize the mayor to enter contracts after soliciting and reviewing RFP responses; the mayor's office said public proposals would be shared with council and that the administration sought to keep the price point lower than earlier proposals by relying on internal staff and a University of Akron partnership to assist with implementation.

Councilwoman Davis asked about timing; staff said they would issue and evaluate the RFP over roughly 30 to 45 days, and that the chosen vendor's review could take six to nine months depending on scope and public-engagement requirements. A council member asked whether the project would be paid from ARPA funds; the mayor's office replied that this authorization would use general-fund resources.

The committee voted to bring the ordinance to the full council for a vote this evening.

Questions that remain open from the committee debate include the maximum contract amount the mayor may sign without returning to council, the precise cost allocation, and a final timeline for public engagement and report delivery.

The authorization directs the administration to publish an RFP for an independent review of use-of-force policy, to consider proposals, and to enter contracts. The committee did not set a maximum dollar limit in the ordinance language during the meeting; staff representatives said they would return budget details as proposals are received.