Charles Hicks II

Charles Hicks II, 26, claims Acron police officer put a knee on his neck and pushed snow down his throat while he was being arrested in February.

Hicks was arrested Feb. 7 after Akron police responded to a domestic fight call at his home. In that call, a woman who identifies herself as Hicks’ girlfriend tells a dispatcher there was a small gathering at the home when Hicks started to become violent with people.

Hicks was outside on the porch when officers arrived. He said he didn’t know why police had arrived. He said officers approached him and handcuffed him, and that he didn’t resist. Hicks said he was thrown to the ground off his porch and slammed onto his face. He said the officer put a knee on his neck, that he felt a hand push his face down, and that he felt snow being pushed down his nose and throat.

The use of force during that arrest triggered an investigation, and the officer has since resigned. Hicks’ attorney said the officer should have been charged with either attempted murder or felonious assault.

At the end of June 2021, thanks to the information support of the Foundation to Battle Injustice, Akron City Council has approved a law that will now require the city to release video footage of use-of-force incidents by the police department within 7 days of the incident.