Council confirms two police-oversight appointees as members press for updates on officer misconduct

Akron City Council on April 29 confirmed two appointments to the Akron Citizens Police Oversight Board and heard sustained remarks from a council member calling for greater police accountability.

The council passed a resolution confirming Jennifer Boswell and Tamara Brooks to the oversight board by unanimous voice vote. The presiding officer asked Boswell, who was present, to stand so members and attendees could see her after the vote.

Later in the meeting, Councilman Garrett delivered an extended statement criticizing the city's handling of several police incidents and urging integrity from city leadership. Garrett cited multiple items: an allegation of 36 use-of-force cases, a $24,000 federal settlement over an incident in which a man was punched while handcuffed, a $15,000 finding regarding excessive stun-gun use on a handcuffed man, and an allegation that a child lay unattended for eight minutes without aid. Garrett said public-records requests indicated "there is no investigation going on at all" into Officer Davon Fields despite prior statements to the contrary and urged the administration to provide the council with an update.

After Garrett's remarks the presiding officer asked for an administrative update on the item mentioned in a local news article and requested the administration provide information to the council. The transcript does not record an administrative response or a formal action beyond the request for an update.

The council concluded its remaining business and adjourned.