AKRON, Ohio — On Thursday, several activist groups in Akron held a press conference to ask the city to drop all charges against people who were arrested during the Jayland Walker protests.
What You Need To Know
- Several allegations that APD officers abused their power have been made by community organizers
- Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett responded to these allegations
- The chief said the allegations of abuse from police officers are untrue
During the conference, they also made claims that the department has used what they called unjust force against protesters.
Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett said these allegations are, for the most part, just not true.
“Tensions are high, people are on edge,” Mylett said. “It doesn’t take much to create this increased level of animosity."
During Thursday's press conference, Akron organizer Fran Wilson said the Akron Police Department has abused its powers.
“Police abused their powers multiple times during arrests, including arresting and locking several children in holding cells,” Wilson said. “Pepper spraying and tear gassing bystanders and reporters.”
Mylett push back against those claims, denying allegations that officers abused their power and saying the department did attempt to provide a safe space for demonstrations until things got out of hand.
“As a result our posture changed. Before that our officers were providing that safe space,” Mylett said. “After that night, there may have been one other issue that happened. But for the most part we are providing that safe space ... our posture is that, is providing for the safety of the protesters.”
Mylett added that he has reached out to community organizers via email to discuss their allegations but he has not heard back.
“I asked that individual to please provide me with names, locations and dates of what he is describing that we are leaving people with broken arms, broken noses and broken faces,” Mylett said.
A 12-year-old boy spoke about his experience with the police during Thursday’s press conference. He described being handcuffed after his mother was arrested on July 7 while leaving a demonstration.
“They had guns pointed to our faces,” the boy said. “They put us in handcuffs and zip ties. I was arrested with no shoes on.”
The chief said Thursday was the first time he heard about the incident involving the 12-year-old boy.
Mylett said there are no restrictions regarding age when placing handcuffs on a person.
“It all depends the nature of the crime,” Mylett said. “It depends on behavior, but no, there is no threshold for age.”
Akron police said they are working to locate the body camera footage of the incident with the 12-year-old boy.