Atkinson was maintaining the property outside the dorm as part of his work-study job. The city council should take remedial action. A human being who is not out to get control of another for the sheer pleasure of control would have REASONABLY stopped the interaction upon getting the school identification and offer to beep in the residence door. He will receive 'commensurate pay and benefits' during that period and 'a single, lump sum' payment for any accrued and unused vacation time when his employment officially ends Feb. Your email address will not be published. Things got tense when Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth, which Atkinson refused to provide. The police officer who pulled a gun on a man picking up trash outside his own home in Boulder, Colorado, has resigned, city officials said Thursday. Your hand is on your weapon! "If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted. Then, Smyly demands to know what Atkinsons date of birth is. Thats what youre gonna do, officer? We know you don't bring a trash grabber to a gun fight; and we know John would be more than happy to use his firearm to defend himself from the deadly implement. He has in the past been critical of the police investigation and citys efforts to strengthen community oversight of the department. [Read more: Trump turns White House blue], WATCH LIVE: Alex Murdaugh trial closing arguments getting underway today, Tom Rogan, National Security Writer & Online Editor, US intelligence community has proven it can't investigate Havana Syndrome, it should let UK and Australia try, Turns out Chicago voters are racist and sexist against weak, abrasive, crappy mayors, Congress told of likely Chinese spy balloon threat as early as 2019, TikTok restricts teenager screen time as it faces threat of national ban, Lightfoot is out: Chicago mayor out four years after breaking onto scene as rising star, Republicans could force Bidens first veto with fights over ESG and DC crime law, Protesters thrown out of House China committee's first prime-time hearing. Atkinson later reached a settlement with the city. On March 1, 2019, back when few mainstream politicians used the term "systemic racism" while discussing law enforcement aimed at people of color, Boulder Police officer John Smyly starred in a. The student's lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, told local newspaper the Denver Post that he was disappointed Mr Smyly had not been fired and would still be paid. This is ridiculous, bro, Atkinson says. Im a citizen of this country!. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Smyly should have left. Boulder residents have been betrayed. gimme your paw, gimme your paw". You have a dangerous object in your hand, Stunned Atkinson says, I dont have a weapon! By the time the men had reached the back of the building, Smyly had his gun drawn. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. Officers were able to talk to Atkinson and a Naropa employee who responded to the scene and confirmed Atkinson was a student and lived in the building. Why would you want someone like that on their team? PEDO PETE LANDS AT OCEANA NAVAL AIR STATION #FJB, PEDO PETE 1 (AIRFORCE 1) APPROACH TO OCEANA NAS, HIPAA 2.0 Infrared Rays Jax Health Dept revisit! According to a summary of the investigation released by Boulder police, Officer John Smyly was conducting extra patrols on March 1, 2019, in the area of Folsom Street and Arapahoe Avenue when. I didnt do anything wrong. Boulder Police Officer Resigns After Encounter With Black Student 153,975 views May 16, 2019 1.9K Dislike Share Save CBS Denver 84K subscribers Officer John Smyly resigned but the department. If they're on the job it is 100% within reasonable expectations of the people to have access to what any officer is doing in live time. Or mail cash/check/precious gemstones toP.O. People named John Smyly. At least one weapon was drawn. Get bent ! it used to be" put your hands behind your head ". The Moving can be an exciting experience. Smyly is resigning but will "exhaust" his paid leave. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. DeSantis won't say he's running. He shared that he slept on the decision, but he clearly didnt think about how it would land with the community or those few diverse members of his staff. The situation was finally resolved about ten minutes later when other officers arrived and Atkinson's proof of residence was established. The settlement allowed the city to provide the community information more quickly, and it transitioned Officer Smyly out of a law enforcement career.. We have been engaged in race equity training and discussions and are committed to continuing those efforts and working with county staff on whatever tools might help us in those efforts. When did this change? When Smyly asked for an address and date of birth, Atkinson walked away and began to pick up trash again. Boulder Beat. The incident sparked calls for a new model of police oversight, and led to the creation of a new position and an 11-member civilian panel to oversee complaints against officers. Zayd Atkinson could have lost his life. Boulder Police Department's investigation found Mr Smyly had violated the department's rules on police authority, public trust and conduct. Obviously, I still have things to learn.. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process likely would have resulted in suspension or termination. Served as the training and curriculum development lead for the implementation of a $6M Records Management System for the Boulder County Sheriff's . Boulder is essentially saying were going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayds life, for racially profiling Zayd, Rathod said, according to the AP. Despite His Resignation of Mid-May, Smyly Gets Paid Through 2020 Totaling Nearly $70,000 Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department, resigned from active duty on May 16. !, Atkinsons lawyer told Time that the city is going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayds life, for racially profiling Zayd If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. I'll keep saying this, all officers like this should be made to take out public liability insurance so the taxpayer no longer has to bail these morons out just so they can go and abuse rights again and again. If you do great and Ill be on my way. I tend to be very supportive of police officers, including in the most controversial of circumstances. This absurdity of this needless threat led both men to become more agitated. After providing his student ID, Atkinson . Atkinson, who . Mr. Smyly was on paid administrative leave since then and then just before the conclusion of the disciplinary process, the Denver Post reported. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun! Atkinson can be heard protesting. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Smyly kept his weapon out until Atkinson put down the clamp. The Associated Press reports he will earn benefits and a salary during this time and will be compensated for any unused holiday he accrues. As part of his cushy deal he will be paid for accrued floating holiday leave, sick leave, and be permitted administrative leave until Feb. 9. Youre not gonna arrest me. Atkinson and the city are settling any potential claims arising from this interaction so that the parties may focus on the continued healing of both the community and Mr. Atkinson, the statement read. See Photos. Atkinson continues to say hes astonished by the officers actions. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinson's race. DAMM GOOD POINT ! What kind of message is that. What, on a public sidewalk? Here are some ways you can help. Internal investigation found Officer John Smyly violated department procedure Jeremy Papasso, Daily Camera Zayd Atkinson speaks before Boulder City Council on March 18 about how he was treated. I go to school here. That lack of explanation solidified Mr. Atkinsons perception that he was not being treated honestly and fairly, which increased his agitation and heightened his berating of the officers.. If the second cop on the scene doesnt tackle the first cop and put him in a car then its all bullshit. Police have released several body camera videos that depict what happened that winter day at the dormitory where Zyad Atkinson lived. Such is the case of Boulder, Colo., police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson on March 1st this year. Im picking up trash! Unfortunately, the city of Boulder's response to that misconduct has been pathetic. Boulder police said it could not support a claim of racial profiling in the encounter, but Smyly was found to have violated two department policies. John Smyly. Is on the property where he lives as a student and is working to clean up the garbage around the building. As part of a settlement with the city, Smyly remained under city employment until February as he exhausted accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. The city of Boulder, Colorado has reached a settlement with one of its police officers over racial profiling accusations. We've been shown this plenty of times. Officer Smyly drew his gun and called in backup during the confrontation in March. Later in the video, that employee can be heard telling Atkinson that he had indeed been racially profiled but suggests they deal with that later and for the time being, de-escalate the situation themselves. Smyly told dispatchers Atkinson was failing to comply and had a blunt metal object, which resulted in eight officers and a sergeant responding to the scene. Youre obstructing a police officer which is a jail-able offense, Smyly says. How do feel about that?. 2023 BBC. Smyly tells him, Sit down or youre going to get tased in a second because you have a weapon. Press J to jump to the feed. https://t.co/4hLHEf3cfH, Quentin Young (@qpyoungnews) May 23, 2019. I hope these officers hear his voice on repeat every time they fuck up. The city of Boulder said in a statement Thursday that officer John Smyly violated multiple department policies when he confronted Zayd Atkinson, 26, in March. More tax payers money going out the window . ID Refusal by Boulder Colorado man, Zayde Atkinson results in threats and officer John Smyly brandishing a fire arm. Join the Westword community and help support City officials say this is the best option because the police department's collective bargaining agreement triggers a disciplinary appeal process, which they say would likely overturn Smyly's firing. Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. Did I honestly read they hired him back as a trainer?!?! Atkinson is by now very upset. A settlement was reached, but the exact agreement is unknown. He is not the old time semi-literate southern brute. Body cam footage shows Sammie Lawrence, standing, filming a police encounter. Is that an "Oops?" Colorado: Kelly Clark, 41, has filed an excessive force lawsuit against Waylon Lolotai, . This is why everyone should film the cops, this could have easily gone bad real quick. According to a summary of the investigation released by Boulder police, Officer John Smyly was conducting extra patrols on March 1, 2019, in the area of Folsom Street and Arapahoe Avenue when he saw Atkinson seated on a bench in a patio area that had a sign that said private property.. Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department, resigned from active duty on May 16. 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Boulder and Zayd Atkinson, a black Naropa student who was confronted by a police officer while picking up trash outside his apartment, have agreed to settle any civil claims involving the incident. abcnews.go.com Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the condo-style building, where he was using a metal tool with a claw at its base to put trash into a bucket, according to the new footage. Ive got to verify it so that I know you do in fact live. Atkinson becomes incredulous. The city manager supports the proposed settlement., Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. Atkinson points to it and reads it to the officer. Are you kidding me?, Smyly presses on. Smyly abandoned that responsibility and should have been fired without delay, if only to make an example of him. one of them was holding a rifle which an investigative summary said fires bean bags, according to the AP. Such is the case of Boulder, Colo., police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson on March 1st this year. Colorado police confront man picking up trash on his lawn. Put it down and comply with my orders.. Good boy, " roll over,c,mon roll over, good boy". Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, The Associated Press reports he will earn benefits and a salary during this time, The officer "did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson", the department wrote in their report, US police accused of beating black officer, Bank calls police over black man's cheque, Mr Atkinson told local broadcaster CBS4 Denver, The student's lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, told local newspaper the Denver Post that he was disappointed Mr Smyly had not been fired, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35. We cant normalize this! local news and culture, Michael Roberts Im not doing anything illegal and youre not gonna fuc*ing tase me, sir? The job was publicly posted in 2019, Wagner said. Love Is Blind (Instrumental Version) Coma Svensson According to KDVR, the officer, John Smyly was found to have violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, but said that there was no evidence to support the. We would immediately lose our jobs., Zayd Atkinson & John Smyly: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. This cop as all of them become cops out of fear and are arrested in development at the age of their childhood trauma that was never dealt with. Smyly asked for identification with the address on it and Atkinson readily provided his school ID, which did not have the address and then offered to let himself into the building. The lawsuit says Trump "inflamed,. "The city of Boulder is paying this officer nearly $80,000 for violating the . Problem is people take the money and dont put these cops in jail. Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? TOTAL WAN***S!! The settlement agreement, a copy of which was included in the council memo, did not appear to include a nondisclosure or any prohibitions on Atkinsons speech moving forward. Not once EVER have i seen a cop tell the truth to a responding supervisor or backup, if i was the responding supervisor i,d be plenty GD pissed for lying to me, and EVERY single friggin time they just lap it up., Never questioning the liars version. Smyly is a 14-year department veteran was found in violation of two department policies. Wagner said the office did not have any comment about Smylys history with Boulder police because the job isnt as an officer/deputy or in any way related to police officer/law enforcement duties., According to a summary of the investigation released by Boulder police, Smyly was conducting extra patrols on March 1, 2019, in the area of Folsom Street and Arapahoe Avenue when he saw Atkinson seated on a bench in a patio area that had a sign that said private property.. James Freeman does first amendment audits, cop watching, cop blocking, and more. Why would you think that you can tase me? Based on the history of race relations and law enforcement in the United States, and the particular circumstances of the encounter, Mr. Atkinsons anger was justified, the joint statement read. The Boulder, Colorado, police officer who initiated contact with a Black man as he was picking up trash around his front yard, resulting in several officers responding and also handling their weapons in a threatening manner, has resigned. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); copyright 2023. Boulder County Sheriffs Division Chief Mike Wagner said the job is a civilian position helping with the offices records and jail management computer systems replacement project. Denver's independent source of You guys dont have a goddamn right to be doing this to me. Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the condo-style . Zayd Atkinson, who is a student at Naropa University. Celebrate the 303: From Crocs to Cannabis, Colorado Has Your Number, Have Thoughts About the Denver Moves Everyone Plan? 3:40. I could get lawyers, sir. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. October 6, 2020 Spoiler: A just-released report backed up an internal affairs police investigation that found there was no racial profiling involved in this incident. Denver's independent source of I've met many a Caucasian who comes off all friendly, polite and smiley (pun unintended) but is really cocked and locked to assert his will every which way including physically, like some bully character in The Karate Kid. The condo-style be on my way who is a 14-year department veteran found..., public trust and conduct that you can tase me, sir,... Benefits and a salary during this time and will be compensated for any unused holiday he accrues think! Qpyoungnews ) May 23, 2019?!?!?!?!?!!... If you or I were to do this, delivered straight to your inbox him in a car its... His Naropa student ID and should have been fired without delay, if to. 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