The passage of Issue 10 during the November 2022 election created a permanent Citizens' Police Oversight Board in the City of Akron. The Board will provide external and independent overview of Akron policing practices. They will also oversee the Office of the Independent Police Auditor (OIPA). The OIPA will consist of 3 full-time employees including an Independent Police Auditor, a Deputy Independent Police Auditor, and an administrative staff member.
The Board is made up of 9 Akron residents. Three board members are appointed by the Mayor with approval from City Council. The other 6 are appointed by a 2/3 majority of City Council. No more than two members can be from the same ward.
Read the charter language here for all duties and responsibilities of the Board.
Members of the Board:
Chair Kemp Boyd - [email protected]
Vice- Chair Donzella Anuszkiewicz - [email protected]
Cati Castle - [email protected]
Brandyn Costa - [email protected]
Robert Gippin - [email protected]
Diane Lewis - [email protected]
Shawn Peoples - [email protected]
Tristan Reed - [email protected]
Beverly Richards - [email protected]
**To reach all board members, please email [email protected]
Contact information for Independent Police Auditor, Phil Young:
330-375-2705
[email protected]
Board Meeting Notices:
Full board meetings take place at Akron City Hall (166 S. High St. Akron, OH) every Wednesday at 6pm in City Council Chambers (3rd floor). The meetings are livestreamed on City Council's YouTube page which is available here: https://www.youtube.com/@AkronCityCouncil.
Those meetings are open to the public and include a public comment period. Must attend in person to provide public comment.
Subcommittee Meeting Notices:
Human Resource Management Subcommittee:
Governance Subcommittee:
Community Engagement Subcommittee:
A meeting on June 7th, 2023 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm in the Compass Conference Room of The Well CDC located at 647 E. Market Street Akron, Ohio 44304
Budget and Finance Subcommittee:
AGENDAS AND MINUTES
To view the Agendas for the Citizens Police Oversight Board Meetings as well as the agendas for the subcommittee meetings, click here.
To view the Minutes from the meetings please click here.
Filing a Citizen Complaint
It is the policy of the Akron Police Department to accept and review all citizen complaints regarding police service, policy, procedure, or personnel. The citizen complaint process is available to anyone who believes Akron Police personnel may have performed in a manner that is in violation of their rules, the law, and/or a citizen’s rights. The fair, factual, and objective investigation of complaints is a priority.
How to File a Complaint
If you believe an officer or employee of the police department did something wrong, get the officer or employees’ name, badge or identification number, car number, or other identifying details. If witnesses were at the scene, get their names and contact information. Collect any evidence you believe is related to your complaint.
Complaints may be filed in person, via telephone, via mail, via e-mail, or may be filed anonymously. They may also be filed by contacting the independent police auditor at:
OFFICE OF THE POLICE AUDITOR
175 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 103, ROOM 120
330-375-2705
330-375-2924
Fax. [email protected]
Complaint forms are available for download here or in person at the information desk located inside the police department. A complaint form may be dropped off at your house upon request or mailed to you if you desire. Once the complaint form is completed, return it to the police department at 217 S. High St. Akron, OH 44308 room 511 or e-mail it to [email protected] and copy [email protected].
