AKRON, Ohio — The application process for the final seat on Akron's Citizen Police Oversight Board reopened on Tuesday, the city announced in a release.
The single remaining highly contested seat on the board was originally expected by several City Council members to be filled by nominee Imokhai Okolo, an Akron attorney.
Okolo didn't land nine of 13 votes, a supermajority, that were necessary to garner a seat on the oversight board.
Those opposing him pointed to comments he made on social media referring to Akron police as "pigs"following the deadly shooting of Jayland Walker in June.
Creation of the police oversight board is a direct result of that deadly shooting, in which Walker, a 25-year-old Black man, was shot by police more than 40 times after leading a fleet of officers on a chase. The city is awaiting the results of an investigation by the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
In response to the shooting, Akron voters approved Issue 10 last November creating the oversight board the city had talked about creating for years, officials said.
According to the charter, the mayor appoints three oversight board members while City Council is responsible for six nominations. Demographics of the board’s makeup are entrenched in the city charter to seat a balanced body that accurately represents the city.
To fulfill the terms of the charter, one board seat — the remaining seat — must be filled by a Black man between 18 and 35.
In the current application process, all residents are welcome to submit an application, the city said, but "in light of the current composition of the board, additional consideration will be given to African-American male candidates " 18 to 35.
City Council President Margo Sommerville said the review board represents Akron residents' long-time desire to have a role in community policing.
"It is a critical component of efforts designed to foster better communication between the community and the police, reduce public concern about high-profile incidents and prevent issues by identifying areas of concern and offering options to improve policing," Sommerville said. "My hope is that once fully seated, the Citizen Oversight Board reflects the diversity and breadth of experience in our community, including the perspective of those most impacted by officer-involved incidents.”
The application deadline is March 31.
Application forms are available on the Akron City Council website. The form can be downloaded as a PDF and submitted via email along with a current resume, if available, to City Council.
Hard copies of the application form can be picked up at City Hall and mailed with a resume to 166 S. High St., Akron 44308.