Akron Police: Excessive Force Allegations Mount

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Akron Officer Faces New Excessive Force Lawsuit

Akron Police Officer Warren Spragg is now facing a second federal lawsuit. This legal action alleges excessive force, assault and battery, and false arrest. The lawsuit stems from a June 2024 incident involving Terrell Battles (signalakron.org). Battles, a passenger in his brother’s car, was involved in a traffic stop for an expired tag (signalakron.org). The lawsuit claims Officer Spragg dragged Battles from the vehicle and repeatedly punched him (signalakron.org). These punches allegedly broke Battles’ nose (signalakron.org). Battles was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of official business (signalakron.org). However, these charges were later dismissed (signalakron.org).

This incident is not an isolated event for Officer Spragg. In fact, this marks the second time he has been sued for excessive force. The repeated nature of these allegations raises serious questions about accountability within the Akron Police Department. The community, particularly the African American community, watches closely as these cases unfold. They seek justice and systemic change.

Officer Spragg’s History of Force Incidents

Officer Spragg has a significant history of use-of-force incidents within the Akron Police Department. He and the city were previously sued in 2024 by Jordan Ely (signalakron.org). Ely was punched multiple times by Spragg during a 2023 traffic stop (signalakron.org). The City of Akron paid $15,000 to settle Ely’s federal lawsuit (yahoo.com). Ely was also acquitted of resisting arrest in that case (yahoo.com).

The attorney representing Terrell Battles, Imokhai Okolo, stated that Spragg had at least 27 use-of-force incidents between January 2023 and August 2024 (signalakron.org). Okolo believes this is the most of any Akron police officer during that period (signalakron.org). Independent Police Auditor Anthony Finnell even referred to Spragg as a “frequent flyer” for use of force (signalakron.org). This high number of incidents, especially when compared to the department’s average of 250 to 300 use-of-force calls out of 135,000 annual service calls (signalakron.org), suggests a pattern. Another Akron officer, involved in the fatal shooting of Jazmir Tucker, also had “dozens of prior use-of-force incidents” (news5cleveland.com). These figures raise serious questions about how the department monitors and addresses officers with repeated use-of-force complaints.

Auditor’s Findings vs. Department’s Internal Review

A significant conflict exists between the findings of the Independent Police Auditor and the Akron Police Department’s internal investigation. Independent Police Auditor Anthony Finnell concluded that Spragg’s use of force against Battles was excessive (signalakron.org). Finnell’s report, released in January 2025, found that Spragg “failed to adequately and clearly communicate his intentions and actions” (signalakron.org). Furthermore, he “missed multiple opportunities to calm the situation” (signalakron.org). Finnell recommended changing the disposition of Spragg’s use of force from “Objectively Reasonable” to “Not Objectively Reasonable” (signalakron.org). He also recommended disciplinary action against the officer (signalakron.org).

Despite Finnell’s clear findings and recommendations, the Akron Police Department’s internal use-of-force investigation, conducted by Sgt. Utomhin Okoh in July 2024, cleared Spragg (signalakron.org). This internal review deemed Spragg’s force “objectively reasonable” (signalakron.org). The Independent Police Auditor’s role is to provide external oversight and independent assessments (signalakron.org). However, the Mayor and Police Chief are not legally obligated to act on his findings (signalakron.org). This lack of mandatory compliance with independent oversight raises concerns about the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms within the department.

Understanding Key Terms: Excessive Force and Objectively Reasonable

The terms “excessive force” and “objectively reasonable” are central to these discussions. Understanding them is crucial for grasping the implications of police misconduct investigations. “Excessive force” generally refers to the use of more force than is objectively reasonable or necessary (yahoo.com). This force might be used to effect an arrest, prevent escape, or overcome resistance (signalakron.org). The judgment is made from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, not with the benefit of hindsight (beaconjournal.com).

“Objectively reasonable” is the standard used to evaluate whether an officer’s actions, especially regarding force, were justifiable given the circumstances (signalakron.org). When an auditor challenges an officer’s supervisor for clearing an officer, it often indicates a disagreement over whether the force met this “objectively reasonable” standard (signalakron.org). Other legal terms, such as “false arrest” and “assault and battery,” are also frequently mentioned in these lawsuits. “False arrest” means an unlawful detention. “Assault and battery” refers to the unlawful physical touching of another person, often without consent or legal justification (yahoo.com). These terms highlight the specific legal allegations made against officers in such cases.

A Culture of Violence and Systemic Issues

The lawsuit against Spragg and the city of Akron alleges a systemic issue of excessive force and a lack of accountability within the Akron Police Department (signalakron.org). The complaint claims the city has “acquiesced to a culture of violence” (signalakron.org). This is attributed to failures in properly training officers, investigating incidents, and disciplining officers for misconduct (signalakron.org). The lawsuit also alleges a “police code of silence” (signalakron.org). This phrase suggests an alleged culture where officers protect each other from accountability, possibly by not reporting misconduct or by downplaying incidents. An attorney for Jayland Walker’s family, for instance, called the Akron Police Department “one of the most corrupt” departments he had known, citing a “culture of violence and hate” (beaconjournal.com).

The lawsuit further states that the department’s use of excessive force disproportionately involves African-Americans (signalakron.org). This claim resonates deeply within the Black community, which has long faced concerns about racial bias in policing. Incidents like the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker, an African-American, by Akron police, where a community leader called it an “execution of a Black child who was walking away” (beaconjournal.com), highlight these disparities. The tragic death of Jayland Walker, another African-American man fatally shot by Akron police, also led to a significant lawsuit alleging a “culture of violence” (beaconjournal.com). Other cases, such as the “body slam” incident involving Dierra Fields (signalakron.org) and the lawsuit against former officer Ryan Westlake for shooting a teenager carrying a fake gun (cleveland19.com), further illustrate the pattern of alleged excessive force and the resulting legal challenges faced by the city.

Accountability and Policy Review Efforts

In response to mounting pressure and ongoing lawsuits, the City of Akron is taking steps to review its use-of-force policies. The Akron City Council voted on June 7 to hire a consultant to review the city’s use-of-force policy (signalakron.org). This review comes at a cost of $350,000 (signalakron.org). Mayor Shammas Malik stated that the policy review aims to ensure officers have the best possible training (signalakron.org). It also seeks to provide clearer guidelines for using force and de-escalation (signalakron.org).

Mayor Malik has publicly acknowledged that current use-of-force policies often prevent him from disciplining Akron police officers (signalakron.org). This suggests a systemic barrier to accountability within the department. While settlements, such as the $15,000 paid in Jordan Ely’s case (yahoo.com), occur, they do not always lead to significant changes in officer behavior or departmental accountability. The fact that officers with multiple use-of-force incidents, like Officer Spragg and the officer involved in the Jazmir Tucker shooting, remain on the force, further underscores this challenge (news5cleveland.com). The community hopes this policy review will translate into tangible improvements in police conduct and a stronger commitment to justice.

Community Impact and the Path Forward

The ongoing allegations of excessive force and the perceived lack of accountability have a profound impact on community trust. For Terrell Battles, the desire is clear: “I want to see him get off the force,” he told reporters. “There is good cops and there is bad cops, but bad cops like that don’t deserve to protect.” This sentiment reflects a broader frustration within the community, particularly among African Americans, who often bear the brunt of such incidents. The repeated nature of these events erodes confidence in law enforcement and deepens existing divides. It also creates a climate of fear and distrust, making effective community policing more challenging.

The path forward for Akron involves more than just policy reviews. It requires a genuine commitment to systemic reform. This includes transparent investigations, consistent disciplinary actions, and a re-evaluation of training that emphasizes de-escalation and community engagement. The city must address the underlying issues that contribute to a “culture of violence” and the “police code of silence.” Only through sustained effort and a willingness to hold officers accountable can the Akron Police Department begin to rebuild trust with the communities it serves. The struggle for justice and accountability for Black communities in Akron, as in many places across the nation, continues to be a critical fight for human dignity and civil rights.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.