voters approve Jayland Walker’s murder investigation board // After eight Akron officers fired dozens upon rounds that killed Jayland Walker (25-year-old Black man), voters approved the creation of a permanent police oversight board. The Tuesday measure passed goes beyond the September plan for greater oversight by Akron City Council. Backers claim that the civilian oversight board will function more independently of elected officials. During protests over Walker’s death in the summer, the idea for an independent oversight body was born. HTML3_ MIDTERM ELUTIONS 2022: LIVE UPDATE An preliminary autopsy revealed that Walker was shot numerous times on June 27, after two officers attempted to stop his car because of minor equipment violations. Police said that Walker refused to stop, and that a shot was fired at him from his car just seconds after the pursuit began. Walker was stopped by officers and surrendered to them shortly after. He ignored the officers’ orders and ran into a nearby parking lot, where he was shot dead by police gunfire. Walker was deemed a “deadly menace” by authorities. A handgun as well as a wedding ring were found in Walker’s car. The new oversight panel will employ a police auditor to audit and review police activity and policies, access records, and investigate police behavior. This will be provided that it does not conflict with the police union contract and constitutional rights.