Charter amendment committee will seek clearer path for Akron fire, police leadership hires

A charter amendment that Akron Mayor Shammas Malik hopes will clear up the conflict between hiring practices outlined in the city charter and state law is beginning to take shape.

On Thursday, Malik announced the members of the committee that will aid in creating an amendment that grants the city authority to consider a broad, diverse candidate pool for leadership roles in the Akron police and fire departments.

The committee members include four members of Akron City Council — Margo Sommerville, Brad McKitrick, Linda Omobien and Eric Garrett.

The committee also includes state Sen. Vernon Sykes, state Rep. Veronica Sims and two longtime Akron residents — Willa Keith, retired from the city of Akron and the Akron Police Department, and Heather Pollock, visiting assistant professor of instruction at the University of Akron.

During the city’s recent police chief search, the law department determined that the city charter does not give the city clear authority to appoint an external candidate for police chief.

By offering an amendment which would clearly define the city’s authority to include external candidates for the chief and deputy chief positions within APD and AFD, the city said in a news release, it will ensure a larger and more diverse pool of candidates for these critical leadership positions in future searches.

“I want to thank each member of the committee for their willingness to dig into this issue and help us find a path forward,” Malik said in the release. “Our charter is our central governing document, and we must ensure that it grants the city the flexibility to have the strongest possible hiring process. I believe that having broad, diverse candidate pools, with strong internal and external candidates, will serve the city well in these key leadership roles.”

Over the next several months, the committee will work alongside the city administration to develop an amendment, giving input on scope and impact and reviewing wording. The goal will be to present the amendment to voters in the Nov. 5 election.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Mayor Shammas Malik announces members of charter amendment committee