The Akron chapter of the NAACP is calling for a pause to armed police officers in Akron Public Schools while the program is re-evaluated. This comes in the wake of a use-of-force incident involving a 16-year-old Firestone Community Learning Center student who was punched at least three times in the head by an Akron Police officer during an altercation.
The officer, who worked at Firestone CLC as a School Resource Officer (SRO), has been removed from the school and assigned to administrative duties while the Akron Police department investigates his use of force.
The NCAA issued a statement Wednesday urging Akron Public Schools to adopt comprehensive reforms regarding school safety across the district.
Judi Hill, the president of the local NAACP chapter, said SROs should be temporarily removed while the district investigates and assesses the program.
“I think right now what we need to do is to pull back on where we are with the officers,” Hill said. “We need to review the process the way we have it. If we’re going to use them, they need to have training. If we’re going to use them, then we need to look at some of the recommendations that students have as well as best practices.”
The Akron NAACP’s press release called for “a review of the policies governing school discipline, a commitment to restorative practices, and a reimagining of what safety looks like in our schools.”
Hill said she’s glad to hear Akron Mayor Shammas Malik is reviewing police department policies after the incident at Firestone CLC. She thinks it could be a moment that sparks change with security in APS.
“Use this situation as an opportunity to make some changes,” Hill said. “Let’s look at what worked, what didn’t work, and how we can do it better.”
The organization cited two student-led studies that called for increasing student access to mental health resources and the establishment of “wellness centers” at every school in the district. Regarding police in schools specifically, the NAACP “strongly advocates for the reassessment of [SROs] and partnering SROs with professionals trained in mental health, social work, and restorative practices.”
Hill said it’s unclear what training SROs receive and how, if at all, that training qualifies them to work with students. Akron Deputy Chief Dave Laughlin said in a press conference Monday that SROs receive training through the state, but did not detail how that training helps officers interact with vulnerable student populations.
According to Ohio House Bill 318, passed in Nov. 2018, Ohio School Resource Officers must, among other requirements:
1. Complete a basic training program approved by the Ohio peace officer training commission.
2. Complete at least forty hours of school resource officer training within one year after appointment to provide those services through one of the following entities, as approved by the Ohio peace officer training commission:
a. The national association of school resource officers.
b. The Ohio school resource officer association.
c. A peace officer certified to conduct a course that satisfies the conditions set forth in the bill.
Hill said thorough de-escalation training, an understanding of child development and a process that included students in developing best practices could be a pathway to reduce friction and use-of-force incidents between officers and students.
Years ago, Hill said, the district had conflict resolution training for students. Having officers be a part of that in the future could “set a new bar in the district.”
