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Residents demand accountability as council explains limits after officer reinstated by arbitrator
Summary
Dozens of residents used public comment at Canton City Council to demand accountability after an officer who faced disciplinary action was reinstated by arbitration; speakers cited a recent court ruling denying qualified immunity and urged legislative fixes and civilian oversight.
Dozens of residents pressed Canton City Council on allegations of police misconduct and the reinstatement of an officer, saying arbitration and current collective-bargaining rules have left families without accountability.
At the start of the public-comment block, Mary Lindsey summarized a March 30 federal decision: "US district judge Benita Y. Pearson ... denied Robert Hubert's request for qualified immunity," she told the council, and said the court left "whether his use of deadly force was unreasonable" for a jury to decide. Lindsey urged the council to act now, asking, "What are we waiting for?"
Multiple speakers described a pattern of officers being fired or suspended and then later rehired with back pay after arbitration. Cassandra White,…
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