Crowd Management Policy Community Forum

1326 Brown St Akron, OH 44301 (Directions)

Garfield Community Learning Center

The City of Akron is hosting a community forum to get feedback and input prior to drafting a new Crowd Management policy for the Akron Police Department. The city has contracted with Spencer Fomby with Law Enforcement Tactical Consultants who specializes in this type of work to help develop a new crowd management policy for the city based on best practices and community feedback.

Last year, the City of Akron settled a lawsuit filed by the Akron Bail Fund, a non-profit organization, regarding an incident which took place in 2023.  Over the first year of his administration, Mayor Malik has made clear his intention to work with the Akron Police Department to update various departmental policies, including those related to mass gatherings.  Thus, as part of the settlement, the city agreed to update and implement policies surrounding crowd management. This should not be confused with the proposal to conduct a use of force policy review which is currently before City Council.

“This review is part of my administration’s larger commitment to strengthen our policies and procedures to help build trust between residents and the Akron Police Department,” said Mayor Malik. “Hearing from residents at the start of this process will help inform how the policy is drafted and will ensure buy in from residents and officers as we strive to make Akron the safest place possible. As residents exercise their First Amendment right to air their grievances and make their voices heard, it should be with a mutual understanding with Akron Police of when a situation becomes dangerous or unlawful. Starting this policy hand in hand with our community will help ensure that’s the case.”

The community forum will allow Mr. Fomby to present the current APD crowd management policy to residents and to gather feedback and input on what a new, updated policy should include. The event will be moderated by Professor Brant Lee with The University of Akron School of Law.

After the event, Mr. Fomby will draft new policy language which will then be made public. The City will open a public comment period of at least 60 days for further input before the crowd management policy is finalized and publicized. An email address will be established and made available to the community for comments on the draft policy.

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