Akron police must follow new guidelines restricting crowd control measures like mass arrests, tear gas and pepper spray when responding to peaceful protests and large demonstrations.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding released the policy after more than a year of working with Spencer Fomby, a police practices expert, and receiving community feedback.
鈥淎kron is at its best when we listen to each other, protect each other, and make space for every voice,鈥� Malik said in a Wednesday statement. 鈥淭his policy reflects our commitment to peaceful expression, thoughtful dialogue, and a public safety approach built on trust and partnership with our community.鈥�
The city was required to develop a new policy as part of a 2024 settlement with activist group Akron Bail Fund.
They sued after a protest in 2023 following a grand jury鈥檚 decision not to indict officers who fatally shot Jayland Walker. Officers used tear gas against dozens of protesters, including members of the media.
Officers pepper-sprayed peaceful protesters, who then threw plastic water bottles in response. Then, officers unleashed more pepper spray and tear gas at protesters, media and people watching from the sidewalk.
The city claims the force was in response to the water bottles, but 精东影业 footage shows .
The new policy states pepper spray cannot be used "indiscriminately" to disperse a crowd or against people "passively resisting," according to the new guidelines. The use of tear gas requires approval from an incident commander, with advance warnings.
Additionally, the policy limits the use of 鈥渓ess lethal impact munitions鈥� 鈥� firearm-launched projectiles that have a low probability of causing serious injury or death, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. They may only be used against specific individuals engaged in dangerous behavior or property destruction, after verbal warnings, 鈥渨hen feasible鈥�, and cannot be targeted at specific areas of the body unless deadly force is authorized, according to the policy.
鈥淭he heart of this policy is simple: support peaceful expression and address unlawful acts with restraint, precision, and transparency,鈥� Harding said in the release. 鈥淲e will continue working with event organizers, community leaders, and residents so peaceful assemblies are supported and unlawful acts are addressed responsibly.鈥�
The new policy also requires officers to have visible identification on them and use their body-worn cameras in accordance with other department procedures.
It also encourages officers to begin their response with monitoring, communication and de-escalation techniques.
The police department is currently working on a review of its use-of-force policy, with recommendations from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) expected later this year.
