IPMBA News

Akron police still waiting on bikes, riot gear from RNC

By Akron Beacon Journal, January 27, 2017

Akron police officers who helped out at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this summer have not yet received bikes and fitted riot gear they were promised.

Police spokesman Lt. Rick Edwards said the department recently asked Cleveland police about the equipment but were advised the U.S. Department of Justice had not cleared the items’ release.

The Department of Justice must log all the equipment, because it was purchased with federal grant money.

“We’re hoping to get the equipment in the next couple of months,” Edwards said.

In total, Akron police will receive 17 bicycles that were used by Akron officers at the RNC in July. In addition, 26 officers will receive the riot gear they’d been fitted for and wore at the event.

Akron sent about 30 police officers to help with security during the event, which ran from July 18-21 at Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland.

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