Akron clergy group wants accountability from city on community's police concerns

The Greater Akron Fellowship of Clergy announced Wednesday that it stands by Akron resident Dierra Fields and is calling for accountability from the Akron Police Department.

An Akron police officer body-slammed Fields to the ground during a family argument on Jan. 11. She was charged with obstructing official business and resisting arrest; a jury found her not guilty in June.

Akron Police Chief Brian Harding last week rejected Independent Police Auditor Anthony Finnell's findings that police officer Thomas Shoemaker used unreasonable force against Fields while responding to a volatile domestic call.

"Members of the GAFC have seen the body worn camera video, are aware of the Independent Auditor’s use-of-force report and know that a jury of her peers found Dierra did no wrong," the clergy members said in the press release. "Yet no action or accountability has been taken."

Members of Greater Akron Fellowship of Clergy say they have been working with Mayor Shammas Malik and the police chief to address concerns about policing.

The group includes more than 150 pastors, ministers and leaders.

"We support the family and their legal counsel," the GAFC said in a press release. "The time for inaction has ended. The request for more patience has passed. Dierra deserved better. Her family deserved better. We deserve better."

Clergy group will go directly to Akron Mayor Shammas Malik

The group says it will no longer work with the chief, and will go directly to the mayor with concerns from the community it serves.

"While conversations (with Harding) have been constructive, action and accountability have been lacking," GAFC stated. "We therefore no longer see the benefit of engaging the current Chief of Police in these matters."

The group added, "In collaboration with the NAACP, Freedom Bloc and local justice advocates, the GAFC is taking steps to address patterns of practice that have perpetuated cruel and unusual punishment to our people."

Freedom Bloc called Monday for Harding's resignation after he rejected Finnell's findings.

Freedom Bloc's statement condemned both Harding and Malik's administration for not holding Shoemaker accountable, and said Akron City Council could be doing more to bolster the police oversight board's power.

The Akron NAACP has stopped short of calling for Harding's removal but said the city must make good on its pledge to enact police reform.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron clergy group wants accountability from city on community's police concerns