Akron council files proposed $642,000 use-of-force review after heated public comments and split vote

Akron City Council on Tuesday voted to file a proposed contract to review the Akron Police Department's use-of-force policies after months of public pressure, heated testimony and an extended debate over the price and community engagement.

The filing — the result of a motion for an adverse report — means the ordinance authorizing the contract will be placed on file rather than approved tonight. The measure on the table called for the city to hire an outside firm to conduct a comprehensive review of use-of-force policies and recommend training and policy changes; council members and the mayor repeatedly discussed a price in the neighborhood of $642,000 during the session.

Council members and the mayor framed the issue as a community and public-safety priority, while opponents cited cost and raised questions about procurement and whether cheaper, locally based alternatives had been fully explored.

"Spending nearly a million dollars on redundant studies or providing real resources for safety in our community," said Brian Lucey, president of Akron Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, at the start of public comment. "Is this truly going to make Akron safer?"

Nut graf: The vote came after more than an hour of public comment and a long council discussion that exposed a clear divide: some members urged immediate action and prioritized an outside firm they described as highly experienced; others said the city should compare additional proposals, ensure broad community engagement and reserve funds to implement any recommendations.

Supporters said the review is necessary to update policies and reduce future legal costs. Mayor Malik told council members the review and the accompanying public process were recommended repeatedly by the police auditor and oversight bodies and that the selected vendor was "the most qualified, competent, experienced entity we can find." Several council members noted the city has paid millions in settlements in recent years.

Opponents centered their remarks on cost and procurement. Councilman (last name) Hannah said the mayor provided no price comparisons for other vendors and urged the city to find a firm that could deliver the same results for less. "If you could find a dozen eggs for $2 and on the other side of the city, there were 12, which would you take?" Hannah said, urging a price comparison.

Other council members framed the vote as a call to improve public safety while also holding the city fiscally accountable. Councilwoman Jan Davis and Councilwoman Boyce told the chamber they support review in principle but wanted clearer evidence that the selected approach represented the best value and would include community input and implementation funding.

Multiple public speakers urged action to address police killings and use-of-force incidents. Dr. Richard Montgomery told council members the ordinance restricting public comment had effectively "stripped the people of Akron of their right to be heard" and demanded repeal; other speakers recounted local deaths and called for substantive reform rather than delay.

Several speakers asked the city to consider alternative options: Joyce Penfield, founder of Peacebuilders Academy, said she initially opposed the ordinance because of cost but urged council members to "do something" and to ensure a clear scope of services, measurable outcomes and accountability if the city proceeds.

The motion for an adverse report passed by roll call, 9 to 4; the ordinance was filed. Council members did not adopt the contract or appropriate funds for implementation tonight.

Council members and staff repeatedly said they expect further work on the issue: requests for additional vendor proposals, expanded community engagement, and clearer implementation budgeting were raised repeatedly during the debate. The mayor announced a public forum on crowd control and public order policy the next evening at the Garfield CLC.

Ending: With the ordinance filed, the next steps remain procedural: council members who support a comprehensive, externally led review can pursue reintroduction with additional procurement documentation and budgetary details; others said they will press for alternative approaches that cost less and foreground community participation.