Akron police use of force during incident at Firestone high school under review

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik will hold a press conference Monday to discuss an incident last week at Firestone Community Learning Center that reportedly involved an Akron police officer using force against a student.

The mayor's office said a time for the press conference was still in the works, and that the next steps in the city's review of its use-of-force policy also would be discussed.

Akron Public Schools has yet to comment on the incident. An email seeking comment Sunday afternoon was not returned.

Akron Police Department Capt. Michael Miller said the department is reviewing the incident as a use-of-force case. He said a student was arrested and struck by an officer during the arrest for failing to fully comply with the metal detector screenings on the way into the building Wednesday morning.

"The student initially tried avoiding the metal detectors and was reportedly hesitant to comply and walk back through the scanner when directed by APS staff and officers," Miller said in an email. "Ultimately, he was detained/arrested after attempting to push past the officers. He was taken to the ground and handcuffed after briefly resisting arrest."

Miller said the student was about 16 years old, and had been charged with criminal trespassing and resisting arrest. He said the student may have received minor injuries when he was taken to the ground.

The Beacon Journal has requested a copy of the incident report.

A city spokeswoman confirmed the incident involved the officer who was assigned to the school as a resource officer. Akron police officers who work as school resource officers do not have body-worn camera footage, although Akron Public Schools has cameras inside schools and at the entrance to buildings.

Miller said as of Friday the officer had not been put on leave. He said Sunday more answers would be provided at the press conference.

This story will be updated.

Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron police use of force during incident at Firestone high school under review