The mayor of Akron Ohio said that a school resource officer who was caught on camera punching a student in the face has been placed under administrative duties.
The security video released by Akron Public Schools on Monday shows that the school’s Resource Officer, who was assigned to Firestone Community Learning Center and is a member the Akron Police Department, punched the 16-year-old boy at least three times in the head before he was taken to the floor in front of students and staff.
The officer had approached the student, police said, after the 16-year-old first bypassed the school’s metal detector, triggered its alarm, and then passed through it too quickly.
Akron mayor Shammas Malik, who was joined at a news conference on Monday by Deputy Chief David Laughlin, said that no weapon had been found on the student. The police said that the student was carrying a cell phone when he went through the metal detectors. Students cannot bring their phones to school. They must keep them in the pouches provided by the district.
Akron lies in Summit County about 40 miles south-southwest of Cleveland. The student was originally charged with resisting an arrest, obstructing an official business, and criminal trespass.
Malik told reporters that he spoke with the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, and they agreed to drop these charges without prejudice as long as an investigation into the use of force is being conducted.
Malik stated that the video was “upsetting”, and that “many other people” would feel the same way.
The field report, based on the narrative of the school resource officer: Around 8:05 am on October 16, the principal announced via radio that she was searching for the student as he hadn’t gone through the metal detection. According to the report, the principal located the student. She and the school resource officer then walked him to the metal detectors. The report states that when the student entered the school, the detector beeped and glowed a red color. The school resource officer then instructed the student to enter the school again. The student did not listen to the instruction so the officer put his arm up in front of the student. According to the report, he said that the student slapped away his arm to get around him.
Akron Public Schools released a surveillance video showing the school resource officer and a second officer watching students as they walk through metal detectors at the school. The video does not include audio but the 16-year-old appears to have been stopped and instructed to run through the metal detectors several times. He appears to have tried to get past the officers at one point. They then wrestle with him while holding his arms.
In the field report, the school resource officer stated that he, along with another officer, was unable to control the child and keep him down. After about 25 seconds, the officer punched the student three times with a closed hand toward the side.
Malik revealed that the other Akron officer worked security as a side job. He continues to work his normal patrol shift.
A number for the school resource officer was not available immediately. The police union didn’t immediately respond to a comment request.
Michael Robinson, Superintendent of Akron Public Schools said in a press release that staff and families were informed about what had happened on the same day. He said that after reviewing the video, he determined the actions of the resource officer were “unacceptable.”
Robinson stated that the district had asked for the permanent removal of the officer who punched a student from any school duty and requested the city to submit a candidate before a decision was made. Robinson stated that Akron Public Schools immediately contacted both the city and police departments to let them know what happened.
Robinson stated that the district sent out its crisis team which included mental health counselors.
Robinson stated, “We value our partnership with law enforcement as well as the important role SROs have in building relationships and trust among our community members and ensuring our students’ safety.” It is also important to hold people accountable when such incidents occur. Our highest priority is the safety and well-being our students and our staff.
Robinson stated that the day after the arrest, he met with Akron Police Chief Brian Harding, and city officials, to express his serious concerns.
The family of the student has retained DiCello Levitt. This law firm represented the family of Jayland Walker who was killed by eight Akron Police officers after he fired at least one round through his car window. Malik announced at a Monday news conference that the city had reached a settlement of $4.8 million with Walker’s parents.
The firm didn’t immediately respond to questions but stated in an earlier press release that a news conference with the family of the student will be held soon.
“He is a child. And no child deserves to be punched in the face by an adult, especially when that adult happens to be an Akron police officer,” said attorney Bobby DiCello. “Arrests by the Akron Police Department must not be a source of needless violence against the men, women, and children of the City of Akron. An arrest must follow proper procedures, not be driven by an officer’s rage, because if we let that rage be the standard that dictates how people in Akron are treated, our Constitution will be torn to shreds.”
Malik stated that the city is currently in the process of finding a new School Resource Officer.
