AKRON, Ohio — The Fraternal Order of Police, Akron Lodge 7, has issued a statement condemning Akron City Councilwoman At-Large Linda Omobien with a unanimous vote of no confidence for comments she made regarding the death of Jayland Walker earlier this week.
Omobien's comments came during a public safety committee meeting that took place on Monday, Feb. 27. While discussing comments made by a candidate for the city's new Citizens' Police Oversight Board who had referred to police as "pigs" in social media posts, Omobien stated that the candidate's posts came "at the time Jayland Walker was murdered by the police."
The meeting can be viewed here. The comments occurred at the 46-minute mark.
In its release, Akron's Fraternal Order of Police noted that no findings regarding the investigation into Walker's death have been concluded. The 25-year-old Walker was fatally shot by eight Akron Police officers who fired more than 90 shots at him following a car chase last June. An investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) remains underway and is expected to go to a grand jury in April.
"This comment is reckless, irresponsible, inflammatory, defaming, and could unlawfully influence the Grand Jury who will hear the case soon," the Fraternal Order of Police said. "Ms. Omobien is a councilwoman at-large and is supposed to represent all the citizens of Akron. For an elected official to behave in this manner is unacceptable and the citizens of Akron should hold her accountable.
"The union is further disturbed none of Ms. omobien's colleagues, some of whom are running for Mayor of the City of Akron and are quick to criticize and villainize the law enforcement profession, did not call her out for this comment. The union wonders if these colleagues 'echo' her comment."
Following its autopsy, the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Walker's death as a homicide but also stated that the determination was not a legal conclusion. The eight officers involved in the incident were initially placed on paid administrative leave, before returning to active duty in administrative roles this past October.
Shortly after the Akron Fraternal Order of Police issued its statement condemning Omobien, Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett released a separate statement, sharing that the councilwoman had reached out to him expressing her regret over using the word "murder." She also said that she wanted to correct the record and offered to speak directly to Akron Police officers.
"While I am very disappointed with these divisive remarks, I appreciate Councilwoman Omobien has offered to retract her statement accusing APD officers of committing murder and to make amends," Mylett said.
Additionally, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan released the following statement regarding the matter:
“All elected officials know their words matter and word choice is important. Councilwoman Omobien's statement was irresponsible. I understand that she has since spoken with Chief Mylett. At a time when we are working diligently as a city and a community to improve police community relations, language such as this undermines that important work and creates further challenges to progress. We continue to ask our community for patience as the independent investigation into the death of Jayland Walker remains ongoing and we must all wait for a grand jury to ultimately hear the case and make a decision. I want to thank our law enforcement officers for the incredible work they do day in and day out to make Akron safer, and I look forward to all of us moving forward together.”