Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced new details in the next steps of the city's use of force policy review. The city plans to bring in a law firm.
The mayor, along with Council President Margo Sommerville and Councilwoman Jan Davis, will introduce legislation that will be discussed at the council meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
"This isn't something we're running from. Nobody has to force us to do something. We want to take action on this," Malik said during an interview with News 5 on Monday afternoon.
The law firm Paul, Weiss, and 21 CP Solutions, a policing consulting organization, will facilitate a comprehensive review of the Akron Police Department's use of force, as well as related policies, training, accountability, public safety and more, over up to six months.
Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch will be part of the team.
"I want this process to involve all of our voices throughout our community," said Malik, "including our councilmembers, our Police Auditor’s office and Citizens’ Police Oversight Board, the Fraternal Order of Police union, civic groups, and more.”
The proposal calls for paying $640,000 to the law firm and consulting team.
"I would say if we want to do something well, we can't be afraid of the cost that it has. I think we have a moral responsibility," Malik said.
Akron City Councilman Eric Garrett Sr. feels the proposal is fiscally irresponsible and believes the Department of Justice should investigate the patterns and practices of APD.
"Their (DOJ) findings would have to be implemented. They would implement those findings. These findings that this law firm would rubber stamp with Loretta Lynch's name on top of it would just be suggestions and they will go on a shelf somewhere," Garrett said.
If approved, the review is expected to take five to six months before potential recommendations are made to the city.
According to the mayor, this ongoing process is not related to a specific case.
The announcement comes about two weeks after 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker was shot and killed by Akron Police Officer Davon Fields.
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