Akron fires officer who killed Jazmir Tucker

“First, my thoughts and condolences remain with the loved ones of Jazmir Tucker as they continue to mourn his loss. Shortly after Jazmir Tucker was killed in late 2024, I publicly shared my deep concerns about this tragedy, including and especially the eight minutes between when the shooting occurred and when medical aid was rendered. I also made clear that there would be a thorough and fair internal investigation into whether policies or procedures were violated, separate from the criminal process. Upon review, the draft internal investigation raised serious concerns with its analysis of the incident and conclusions unsupported by the weight of the evidence. Therefore, I could not rely on the draft internal investigation to resolve the matter. Ultimately, the decision of whether to discipline any employee rests with me, and it is a responsibility I take very seriously. After reviewing the complete record, including the BCI investigation and the draft internal review, and in consultation with our City Law Department and our Chief of Public Safety, I concluded that Officer Fields violated our medical aid policy in delaying approaching and providing aid to Jazmir Tucker for almost eight minutes. Furthermore, I determined his conduct was unbecoming of the standards we expect of a sworn police officer. Separate from the events surrounding Mr. Tucker's death, other serious criminal allegations were recently brought against Officer Fields that substantially impair his ability to perform the essential duties of a police officer. Law enforcement officers must be able to serve as credible witnesses in criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, administrative proceedings, and other official matters. The ability to credibly testify is fundamental to the responsibilities of a police officer. Public trust and credibility are essential to effective law enforcement, and these allegations have significantly undermined Officer Fields' ability to carry out those core duties. This process has taken longer than anyone would like, but I believe difficult decisions need to be faced head on, and that I owe this community my best judgment. Early on, I committed to allowing the legal and internal process to proceed. At the end of this process, I believe the evidence gathered supports my early concerns about Officer Fields’ behavior and warrants his termination. I want to acknowledge that our officers in the Akron Police Department do honorable, incredibly challenging work every single day, and they deserve policies, leadership, and accountability systems that support both the public they serve and the profession they represent. When deadly force is used, it demands scrutiny, and when policies are violated, it demands accountability. We are committed to a department that reflects the highest professional standards, where investigations are thorough and objective, policies are consistently enforced, and accountability is not dependent on the outcome of a criminal case."

“Our commitment to strengthening the Akron Police Department extends beyond this individual case. Today, we are announcing changes to our internal review process for incidents involving use of force to strengthen our accountability process and ensure that these investigations are following the standards we expect for our department. In coordination with the comprehensive review of our use of force policies, we are updating how such incidents are investigated from a holistic perspective. The Akron Police Department has already begun to implement the Critical Decision-Making Model, a nationally recognized operational model and best practice in policing. Through the remainder of 2026, we will continue implementing this framework for conducting use of force investigations by the Office of Professional Standards and Accountability (OPSA). The purpose of adopting this framework is to promote consistent, impartial and objective results. We will also establish a Critical Incident Review Board (CIRB), comprised of a cross section of the police department to conduct reviews of critical incidents and identify opportunities to improve policy, training, equipment, and supervision. Beginning today, prior to the conclusion of all use of deadly force investigations, the Chief of Police and the Chief of Public Safety will conduct an independent review to identify and assess any policy violations. Our goal is not simply to respond after tragedy occurs. It is to continue building a police department where strong policies, effective training, consistent supervision, and meaningful accountability make these tragedies less likely to happen in the first place. Our continuing work as an administration and a police department is about protecting lives, strengthening public trust, and supporting our officers.”