Review Urges Sweeping Reforms for Ohio City Police Department

AKRON, OH—A new independent review of the Akron Police Department recommends sweeping changes to the department’s use-of-force policies, training, accountability systems and community engagement efforts as city leaders push to rebuild public trust in policing.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik commissioned the $328,873 report, conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum. It examines whether Akron police policies and practices align with national best practices. The six-month review included interviews and feedback from officers, residents, police union representatives, council members and oversight officials.

On Thursday, city leaders said the review is intended to create long-term reforms instead of becoming another report that sits unused.

“We are going to work with purpose and result on the implementation of all of the recommendations to ensure that this is not a report that will gather dust on the shelf,” Malik said.

The report identifies a total of 58 recommendations that fall into five categories. Akron has completed 18 of those recommendations, and 38 are in progress. The categories include:

• Modernizing use of force polices
• Strengthening transparency and public accountability
• Improving investigations, oversight and critical review
• Building and organizational mindset of training, judgment and de-escalation
• Enhancing safety, medical response and organizational capacity

Among the report’s major findings were concerns over officer escalation, inconsistent policy interpretation and the need for stronger de-escalation practices during encounters with the public.

However, the report states there may be a conflict of interest in how the Akron police investigate officers’ use-of-force incidents. According to the report, the current system may make it difficult for supervisors to objectively police their own colleagues.

Supervisors responsible for judging whether officers acted appropriately are part of the same police union and work closely with those officers. Because of that relationship, critics argue supervisors may be less likely to discipline officers or find wrongdoing, the report found.

The report points to 2024 data showing supervisors reviewed 301 use-of-force incidents involving 773 officers and found only one case that violated department policy — less than 1%. It also notes that over a 16-year period, the department rarely ruled that officers used force improperly.

Calls for transparency, accountability

PERF recommended expanded training focused on crisis intervention, communication and alternatives to force — particularly during encounters involving people experiencing mental health crises.

The report also calls for improvements to accountability and transparency systems, including better tracking and analysis of use-of-force incidents, clearer documentation standards and enhanced oversight mechanisms.

Another major focus was community trust. PERF’s review emphasized the need for stronger relationships between officers and residents through consistent engagement and clearer communication about department policies and expectations.

The report additionally examined whether APD’s current policies match nationwide policing standards and identified areas where policies should be revised or clarified. Recommendations included creating implementation strategies to ensure officers fully understand and are trained on any future policy changes.

Online dashboard launched

In an effort of transparency, the city will launch an online dashboard on Thursday where residents can read the report.

“We’ll update this monthly so the residents can hold me accountable to this work,” Malik said.

The review comes as Akron continues to face scrutiny over policing practices following several controversial shootings by police, including the 2022 killing of Jayland Walker, when eight Akron officers fired over 90 shots at the 25-year-old.

After the shooting, voters approved a civilian police oversight system aimed at increasing accountability and transparency within the department.

Police Chief Brian Harding expressed confidence in the department’s ability to implement the changes.

“Our department has reviewed the recommendations and I want to be clear that our goal is to implement them,” Harding said. “Eighteen are already complete and many more will be completed this year, and others may take us a little longer.”

Chief of Public Safety Craig Morgan outlined an aggressive implementation timeline.

“By the end of the year, our goal is to deliver a second policy package and to have implemented approximately 42 or 43 of the recommendations,” Morgan said. “As we move into 2027, we’ll be dealing with about 12 to 14 recommendations.”

The city plans to partner with the University of Akron’s criminal justice department to assist with data analysis and organizational change management during implementation.

Some recommendations may require budget approval from City Council or negotiations with the police union, particularly regarding civilianization of certain department roles, city leaders said.

Reforming police handling of protests

Since Walker’s killing, Akron safety officials have worked to improve safety measures. Last month, the city announced new measures guiding law enforcement’s handling of protests after several incidents landed the city lawsuits during the Jayland Walker protests.

The policy outlines how officers should deal with demonstrations while balancing public safety with residents’ First Amendment rights, and places strict limits on use of force.

The policy stated that arrests are discouraged unless there is an immediate threat to safety. Less-lethal tools, such as impact munitions or rubber bullets, may only be used in situations involving imminent harm and must be directed at individuals engaged in dangerous behavior. Officers are prohibited from targeting sensitive areas of the body unless deadly force is justified.

PERF officials said the goal is to help Akron modernize its policies while improving both officer safety and public confidence in policing.

The city has said it plans to use the recommendations to guide future reforms within the department.

“This issue has been a very challenging, painful one in our community,” Malik said. “Today is about taking meaningful steps to ensure that we move forward and it is a commitment to keep going.”

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