Akron, Ohio – Eight officers involved in the shooting death of Jayland Walker in June have been returned to active duty, according to Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett. The officers were placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the shooting, but Mylett said that the investigation is ongoing and that no charges have been filed against any of the officers.
Walker, a 25-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by police on June 27 after a chase that began with a traffic stop. Police said that Walker fired a gun at them during the chase, but Walker’s family has disputed that claim.
The shooting of Walker sparked protests in Akron and across the country, and many have called for the officers involved to be held accountable. However, Mylett said that the officers have been returned to active duty because there is no evidence that they violated any policies or procedures.
“We have a responsibility to our community to ensure that our officers are held accountable for their actions, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that our officers are able to do their jobs safely and effectively,” Mylett said in a statement. “We believe that returning these officers to active duty is the best way to balance these competing interests.”
The decision to return the officers to active duty has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised the decision, saying that it is important for officers to be able to return to work after being cleared of wrongdoing. Others have criticized the decision, saying that it shows a lack of respect for Walker’s family and the community.
“It’s a slap in the face to Jayland’s family and the entire community,” said Akron activist and community organizer Rashad Robinson. “The officers involved in this shooting have not been held accountable, and they are now back on the streets where they could potentially harm another innocent person.”
The Akron Police Department has said that it will continue to investigate the shooting of Walker, and that it will release more information as it becomes available.
