The following item is a written record of the Ward 6 meeting from Jan. 15, compiled by Akron Documenter Melanie Mohler. It is not a reported story.
Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at [email protected] with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
Summary
- The Akron Police Department will begin a new police academy next month with 30 to 40 cadets.
- Summit County Probate Court Chief Magistrate Steve Elliott presented on what the probate court does and discussed several end-of-life documents the court offers, as well as other documents everyone should have set up with an attorney.
- At-Large City Council Member Jeff Fusco led the meeting in place of Ward 6 Council Member Brad McKitrick, who was absence. Fusco gave a high-level overview of the city’s $341 million 2026 capital budget, which includes $1 million for sidewalk repairs.
Follow-Up Questions
- How does Akron’s police department training compare to that at other police departments?
- What kind of training do Akron police officers receive?
Notes:
- At-Large City Council Member Jeff Fusco started the meeting at 6:03 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Fusco led the meeting on behalf of Ward 6 Council Member Brad McKitrick. It was not clear why McKitrick was not present.
Akron Police academy starts next month
- APD Officer Eric Wagner said the police academy will start next month with a class of 30 to 40 cadets. He encouraged anyone who had previously taken the civil service exam to become a police officer and was not chosen to try again.
- An attendee asked if the police department is at adequate staffing levels. Wagner said no.
- The same attendee mentioned reading a crime report and saw that the level of crime in Akron was about the same as the previous year, but gun violence was down. Wagner attributed it to proactive policing and the police department’s training. He said Akron’s police department is one of the best trained in the country.
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