Akron Police Department Terminates Officer over Use of Force Incidents 

Akron, Ohio, May 6, 2024  — Today, Officer Ryan Westlake was terminated from the Akron Police Department. This termination is based on two recently completed Use of Force investigations but is not based on the officer involved shooting incident from April 1, which is part of an ongoing investigative process.   

On Dec. 31, 2023, Officer Westlake was involved in a use of force incident. Following an investigation into this matter, Officer Westlake was charged on April 9, 2024, with Conduct Unbecoming of an Akron Police Officer and violating the Akron Police Division Resisting Arrest/Use of Force Procedure. Separately, on March 1, 2024, Officer Westlake was involved in another use of force incident. Following an investigation into this matter, Officer Westlake was charged on April 25, 2024, with Conduct Unbecoming of an Akron Police Officer and violating the Akron Police Division Resisting Arrest/Use of Force Procedure. 

Mr. Westlake, through the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 (FOP) Collective Bargaining Agreement, will have an opportunity to appeal his termination directly to the Mayor. If the Mayor upholds the decision to terminate, the Union has the opportunity to appeal the discipline to binding arbitration.  

The city is releasing additional records involving the above-mentioned discipline here. 

The Akron Police Department and city administration will not provide further comment at this time in light of the termination process but will provide future updates to the community as appropriate.