Akron's Response to Recent Protests: Limits on Use of Force

Akron has agreed not to use tear gas, pepper spray, and other types of force against non-violent protesters after a local group sued the city in federal court, saying it used excessive force in peaceful demonstrations. The city or any other law enforcement agency working at its behest won’t use “tear gas, pepper spray, flash-bang grenade, rubber pellets, batons, body slams, pushing or pulling or kettling,” which is a technique that involves officers corralling people before arresting them, on nonviolent protesters to enforce dispersal orders, traffic laws, and or misdemeanors.