Akron agrees to enact police reforms as part of Jayland Walker protesters suit settlement

More police reform could be coming to Akron after the city agreed in a federal lawsuit to change how its department responds to and treats protesters.

A settlement reached Thursday between the Akron Bail Fund and city attorneys requires the city to implement new police policies with public input.

These policies should limit use of force, ban the punishment of free speech, require police to record their actions and prohibit police from cooperating with other departments to avoid accountability, according to the settlement.

The Akron Bail Fund filed the injunctive lawsuit in the aftermath of protests that followed Jayland Walker's fatal shooting in 2022.

The bail fund sought police reform after it alleged the city used tear gas, pepper spray and other types of force against nonviolent protesters during a protest on April 19, 2023, in the Copley Road area.

"As we reflect on the recent anniversary of the police murder of Jayland Walker and the state suppression of community dissent that followed — our clients’ message is the same as it was then: Justice for Jayland," the law firm Friedman, Gilbert and Gerhardstein wrote in a news release.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 was not immediately available for comment by phone.

“My administration has previously committed to reviewing police practices and creating a new centralized crowd control policy,” Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in a news release. “This move is part of a larger commitment to strengthen our procedures to build trust with our community. My administration and the Akron Police Department remain committed to these efforts, and we aim to model Akron’s new policy off of the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) crowd control policy which is widely regarded as best practice nationwide.”

In addition to these policy changes, the city will pay $30,000 in attorney fees and costs for the Akron Bail Fund.

What changes does the settlement seek?

Under the settlement terms, Akron police officers will modify their approach to protests, demonstrations or "other gatherings of people who are exercising their First Amendment rights in the City of Akron," the settlement reads.

Police officers will be limited in their use of force, which includes the use of "less lethal weapons, and other adverse action," against protesters. Officers cannot use force or temporarily detain demonstrators for the sole reason that they are protesting.

Body-worn cameras, dash cameras and all other police recording devices should be charged, working and turned on during any interaction with people who are or were protesting, according to the settlement.

Police officers are prohibited from using mutual aid law enforcement agreements to circumvent any policy requirements.

Officers should be trained on these policy changes within one year of the policy's enactment. This training will be rolled into any pre-existing police training for new officers.

Earlier this year, the city initiated a change to police pursuit procedures, saying officers can no longer chase vehicles solely for equipment violations.

Drafting new policies with public input

The settlement requires policy implementation that has received public input and backing.

To do this, the city should retain one or more experts in police practices to help draft the policy within 45 days of the agreement's execution, which is July 25, according to the settlement.

Once drafted, at least one community forum should be held at least 60 days after the policy is written. Residents will have the opportunity to tell the city about their experiences with police when protesting at this event.

There will also be an opportunity to write to the city, explained attorney Elizabeth Bonham, who represented the Akron Bail Fund.

The city will then provide notice to the public when the changes go into effect, according to the settlement.

Second Jayland Walker-related federal lawsuit to settle

This is the second Walker-related federal lawsuit to settle this year. The first to settle involved 26 people who were arrested in protests that followed Walker's death.

The city of Akron agreed to pay 24 plaintiffs a total of $747,000 in February. Two protesters arrested by two University of Akron police officers reached a $20,000 settlement in late June.

Bonham also represented the 26 plaintiffs.

One federal lawsuit remains

The final pending lawsuit is one filed by Walker's family against the city of Akron and the Akron Police Department.

No mediation hearings have been held in the case as recent court filings show it could head to trial.

Discovery and motion deadlines were scheduled in early May by U.S. District Court Judge John Adams.

Fact discovery is due by Aug. 31. Expert witnesses are due by Oct. 20 for Walker's family, while the city has until Dec. 5. Depositions by those witnesses are due by Jan. 6, 2025, according to court documents. All dispositive motions are to be filed by Feb. 15, 2025.

Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron agrees to enact police reforms as part of Jayland Walker protesters suit settlement