Akron oversight board tables a proposed Flock pause during an independent audit
Akron's police oversight board delayed a recommendation to pause Flock use during an audit. Boswell and Boyd backed a pause over safeguards and trust; Crabbs cited investigative value and services already paid for.
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Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Akron's police oversight board tabled Jennifer Boswell's proposed Flock pause while seeking written terms. Kemp Boyd backed a pause over safeguards and trust. Duane Crabbs argued for continued access during the audit, citing investigative value and services already paid for.
Read the full background
In the October 21 meeting (opens in a new tab), Jennifer Boswell proposed that the board ask Mayor Malik and the police department to suspend Flock use until the independent police auditor completed his review. Kemp Boyd supported a temporary pause, citing safeguards and public trust.
Duane Crabbs argued that a pause would remove an investigative tool and waste services under a paid contract. He said the audit would inform the renewal decision. He also suggested that police agencies acting for ICE were accessing the system for immigration searches, a concern he connected to Akron's welcoming-city policy, while saying ICE itself lacked direct access.
Following the roll call (opens in a new tab), the chair announced that the tabling motion passed. Members then discussed obtaining written details of the city's safeguards to inform future consideration of the proposal. Signal Akron reports the tally as 5-2 (opens in a new tab), with Boyd and Boswell opposed to tabling. The vote postponed a nonbinding recommendation; it did not suspend Flock use.
Timeline
1 timeline entry on this page. Dates: October 21, 2026
October 2026
Oversight board tables the proposed Flock pause recommendation
The board tables Boswell's nonbinding pause recommendation while seeking written parameters. The chair announces that the tabling motion passes; Signal Akron reports a 5-2 tally, with Boswell and Boyd opposed to tabling.
[01]Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board meeting, October 21, 2026
The official city recording contains the debate over a temporary Flock pause and the procedural vote to table the recommendation. Automatic captions contain errors in names and some repeated words.
Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board meeting, October 21, 202625:15-1:32:20 Flock discussion; 54:45 pause motion; 1:30:00-1:31:05 tabling motion and roll call[02]Akron police oversight board tables recommendation to pause Flock
Doug Brown reports competing views on continued Flock use during an independent audit. The proposed recommendation was nonbinding.
Akron police oversight board tables recommendation to pause FlockOctober 21 meeting; Boswell, Boyd and Crabbs discussion; 5-2 tabling vote
Response record
Responses
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3 matching responses. Newest first.
Jennifer BoswellMember, Akron Citizens' Police Oversight BoardDirectly involved Before this statement
Boswell says she supported pursuing the Flock audit last month, but after the safety director's presentation she does not feel the city is undertaking any accountability audit of how the system has been used. She says that makes her want a pause at minimum, because the city's accountability system is not ready yet.
"how can we continue using a system when when we don't have we don't have that plan, and it's not in effect yet?"
CondemnedCase context: Akron oversight board tables a proposed Flock pause during an independent audit
Full statement and sources
Boswell questions continued use without an accountability plan and supports suspension until the board and community have the answers they need.
After the statement
She calls for suspension until residents and the board have enough answers to trust the system, then questions how the city detected and handled earlier misuse.
Akron police oversight board tables recommendation to pause FlockOctober 21 meeting; Boswell, Boyd and Crabbs discussion; 5-2 tabling voteAkron Citizens' Police Oversight Board meeting, October 21, 202625:15-1:32:20 Flock discussion; 54:45 pause motion; 1:30:00-1:31:05 tabling motion and roll callAkron City Council record confirming Jennifer Boswell's oversight-board appointmentResolution 140-2026, adoption listed with a 13-0 voteWhy this label?
The reference is continued Flock use during the audit. Boswell criticizes current oversight and seeks suspension on that basis.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Kemp BoydChair, Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board, and candidate for mayorDirectly involved Before this statement
Boyd compares Flock's problems to a vehicle recall that is fixed before the car is driven again. He says his stance is not necessarily against Flock.
"how can we move forward if we have all the complaints and it's not working well"
CondemnedCase context: Akron oversight board tables a proposed Flock pause during an independent audit
Full statement and sources
Boyd questions continuing Flock use while residents' concerns are unresolved and later backs a pause to establish safeguards and rebuild trust.
After the statement
He says the board's responsibility is to deal with its community's complaints and that it should discuss, and possibly vote that night on, its stance. He says he is less against Flock than asking whether the board needs to set parameters.
Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board meeting, October 21, 202625:15-1:32:20 Flock discussion; 54:45 pause motion; 1:30:00-1:31:05 tabling motion and roll callAkron police oversight board tables recommendation to pause FlockOctober 21 meeting; Boswell, Boyd and Crabbs discussion; 5-2 tabling voteWhy this label?
The reference point is continued Flock use while the audit proceeds, not Flock in general. Boyd says he is not necessarily against Flock, but asks how the city can move forward while complaints are unresolved and parameters are missing, and he backs a pause. Rejecting continued use under present conditions fits Condemns; his openness to future use concerns Flock in general, not the matter under scrutiny.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Duane CrabbsMember, Akron Citizens' Police Oversight BoardDirectly involved Before this statement
During debate over a proposed pause, Crabbs responds to a statement that there is no downside to pausing. He says access to descriptions of cars and license plates has allowed police to solve crimes and will continue to.
"if we take that ... away ... it takes another tool out of the Akron police hands."
Defended or excusedCase context: Akron oversight board tables a proposed Flock pause during an independent audit
Full statement and sources
Crabbs argues that a pause would remove an investigative tool and waste services already paid for. He also raises concerns about other police agencies acting for ICE.
After the statement
He says services have already been paid for and the audit will inform renewal. He then raises immigration searches by police agencies acting for ICE as a concern for Akron's welcoming-city policy, while saying ICE itself lacks direct access. He concludes that pausing has downsides.
Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board meeting, October 21, 202625:15-1:32:20 Flock discussion; 54:45 pause motion; 1:30:00-1:31:05 tabling motion and roll callAkron Citizens' Police Oversight Board: official membership pageMembers of the Board: Kemp Boyd and Duane CrabbsWhy this label?
The reference is continued Flock use while the audit proceeds. Crabbs argues for retaining access because of investigative value and the paid contract, while recognizing the risk of immigration-related access.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(4)
Original video
Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board meeting, October 21, 2026
About this source
The official city recording contains the debate over a temporary Flock pause and the procedural vote to table the recommendation. Automatic captions contain errors in names and some repeated words.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Akron City Council record confirming Jennifer Boswell's oversight-board appointment
Relevant passage: Resolution 140-2026, adoption listed with a 13-0 vote
About this source
The May 18 council agenda summarizes the May 11 meeting and lists adoption of Resolution 140-2026 confirming Jennifer Boswell and Tamara Brooks to the Citizens' Police Oversight Board, with a 13-0 vote.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board: official membership page
Relevant passage: Members of the Board: Kemp Boyd and Duane Crabbs
About this source
The city's membership list spells the member's name Duane Crabbs. Signal Akron uses Dwayne in its account of the meeting.
- Author
- City of Akron
- Accessed
Reporting
Akron police oversight board tables recommendation to pause Flock
Relevant passage: October 21 meeting; Boswell, Boyd and Crabbs discussion; 5-2 tabling vote
About this source
Doug Brown reports competing views on continued Flock use during an independent audit. The proposed recommendation was nonbinding.
- Author
- Doug Brown
- Published
- Accessed
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- Title
- Akron oversight board tables a proposed Flock pause during an independent audit
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The Dispute Index. "Akron oversight board tables a proposed Flock pause during an independent audit". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/cases/akron-flock-pause-independent-audit-oversight-board