The Akron’s Citizens’ Police Oversight Board has a seat to fill, and residents have until noon on March 1 to put their hats in the ring.
Akron City Council announced that, as of today, it is accepting applications to replace Diane Lewis, who resigned last month from the nine-member CPOB. City Council will review all of the applications before it appoints Lewis’ replacement.
The CPOB was created after Akron voters passed Issue 10 in November 2022, months after Akron police officers killed Jayland Walker, and it is still looking to gain its footing.
“We wish Ms. Lewis well and thank her for her service on the Citizens’ Police Oversight Board,” City Council President Margo Sommerville said in a statement. “As we look to fill the seat vacated by Ms. Lewis, we remain committed to seating another Akron resident who is passionate about the increased engagement of the citizens of Akron in the community policing efforts in our city. That individual must be representative of the diverse communities within Akron and willing to lend the breadth of his/her/their experience to fulfill the Board’s mission.”
Akron City Charter sets the rules for filling the vacancy
Per the Akron City Charter, CPOB members must be Akron residents and are to be “representative of the diverse communities within the City of Akron on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, and geographic region.”
The charter also states that the mayor and City Council should include “an attorney with criminal justice and/or civil rights experience; a member between the ages of 18 and 35; a member from the faith-based community; a member with a professional background in mental health services; a member affiliated with an organization that represents economically disadvantaged and underserved citizens of Akron; and a member with a professional background in law enforcement” as they make appointments to the board.
No more than two board members can live in the same ward. The press release states that “preference will be given to applicants living in Wards not currently represented” on the CPOB, but it doesn’t say which wards those are.
Lewis resigned last month and said in her resignation letter that, “Due to a most recent set of unforeseen events, I can no longer devote the time and attention needed as a member of the board and chair of the Community Engagement subcommittee.”
To apply, click here for a pdf application. Applicants will need to submit the completed form, along with a current resume, if available, to citizenoversight@akronohio.gov. The application can also be delivered in person to the third floor of Akron City Hall at 166 S. High St.
