AKRON, OH – Nearly a year after a shocking incident that left her body-slammed by a police officer and wrongfully arrested, Dierra Fields is demanding justice through a federal lawsuit against the City of Akron and several police officers. Filed by her attorney Imokhai Okolo, the suit names Officer Thomas Shoemaker, Sgt. Timothy Shmigal, and Police Chief Brian Harding as defendants, accusing them of excessive force, malicious prosecution, negligence, and supervisory failures.
The January 2024 confrontation unfolded during a family argument at Fields' Kenmore home. Police were called to de-escalate the situation, but instead, Officer Shoemaker used what Fields' lawsuit describes as "gratuitous and unjustified force," body-slamming her despite no active resistance or threat.
A bystander video capturing the incident quickly went viral, sparking outrage across the Akron community and calls for police accountability. Fields was charged with obstructing official business and resisting arrest, but a jury acquitted her in June after deliberating for less than two hours, affirming her innocence.
Attorney Okolo, who represented Fields in her criminal trial, is now seeking to hold the city and police department accountable for what he calls "unacceptable" treatment of Fields.
The lawsuit outlines six claims:
Excessive Force – Shoemaker's violent actions violated Fields' Fourth Amendment rights.
Supervisor Liability – Shmigal and Harding allegedly failed in their duties by approving and condoning Shoemaker’s actions.
Municipal Liability – Accepted, permitted, confirmed, and consented to the police's illegal and unconstitutional actions. The city is known of fostering a culture where excessive force is normalized, particularly against African Americans.
Assault and Battery – Shoemaker's body slam caused physical harm and emotional trauma.
Malicious Prosecution – Officers pursued charges against Fields without probable cause, acting with malice.
Negligence – The reckless conduct of the Akron Police Department inflicted lasting damage on Fields.
Fields’ case is not the first time Officer Shoemaker has faced scrutiny. In 2023, he was recorded repeatedly punching a restrained protester during demonstrations over the police killing of Jayland Walker. That case ended with the city settling a federal lawsuit for $747,000, yet Shoemaker retained his position within the force.
According to Fields’ lawsuit, incidents like these highlight a troubling pattern within the Akron Police Department. The suit alleges a systemic failure to address misconduct, disproportionately affecting African American residents.
The Fields case has become a flashpoint in Akron's ongoing debate over police accountability. Independent Police Auditor Anthony Finnell, appointed to bring transparency to the department, issued a scathing report in April, condemning Shoemaker's actions as excessive and unjustified.
However, Police Chief Harding rejected Finnell’s findings, fueling public outcry and calls for his resignation. Mayor Shammas Malik, while expressing discomfort with the video of Fields' body slam, defended the officers’ actions as being within current use-of-force policy – a stance he admitted underscores the need for policy reform.
The lawsuit comes as Malik’s administration faces mounting pressure to address police accountability, including a review of use-of-force policies and the establishment of Akron’s new Police Oversight Board.
Her attorney alleges the city’s legal team attempted to preempt this lawsuit by offering to drop charges if Fields waived her rights to sue, calling the tactic “unethical” and a clear acknowledgment of their weak case.
Fields' case has become a rallying cry for those demanding systemic reform in Akron’s approach to policing. Advocacy groups and community leaders argue that incidents like this are not isolated but part of a larger pattern of unchecked misconduct disproportionately impacting Black residents. Protests and town hall meetings have drawn hundreds, with calls for immediate action, including better training for officers, stricter accountability measures, and full transparency in use-of-force investigations.
Activists are also pressing city officials to strengthen the authority of the newly established Police Oversight Board, ensuring that no future incidents go without thorough scrutiny and meaningful consequences. The community is clear: the time for change is now
The lawsuit promises to test Akron’s willingness to confront systemic issues within its police force. For Fields, it is a fight for justice and a better future for her children. "We'll see them in court," Okolo said, expressing hope that this case could be a turning point for meaningful change.
Comments