In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. Mr. Atkinson turned, took out his ear buds, and asked what was going on. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. He then told Atkinson that he was obstructing a police officer, a jailable offense. Smyly later told Atkinson that he was being detained for trespassing. He is likely employed at a different police department at this time. BOULDER, Colo. -- New video shows the heated encounter that went viral back in March -- a black man confronted by a Boulder police officer while picking up trash in his own yard. We have concluded this hire was not helpful to our equity work, and I wish . 17, 2019 at 1:00 PM PDT. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Police body camera footage released Thursday provided a full video account of the tense encounter, which had gained national attention based on video shot by someone inside a student dormitory at Naropa University, a liberal arts school associated with Buddhism in the city of Boulder. Smyly later said he believed his stun gun would be ineffective in subduing Atkinson because of the heavy coat he was wearing at the time, according to the report. After Atkinson said he did, Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. Lawmakers trounce Lobbyists in annual charity hockey game, These four House Republicans broke with the GOP to oppose inflation estimates bill, Biden mocks Rep. 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Friday, March 13, 2020 (Updated Monday, March 16) The city of Boulder is offering a $125,000 settlement to Zayd Atkinson, the black Naropa student who was confronted by armed police officers last year while picking up trash outside his home. "I don't have a weapon. Published: May. Im picking up trash! "The city of Boulder is paying this officer nearly $80,000 [71,500] for violating the constitutional rights of Zayd," he said. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WYFF-TV. When demonstrators took to the . He is not allowed to be reinstated to the Boulder Police Department. }, 2000 ) } ); John Smyly, a former police officer in the city of Boulder, Colo., will not face harsh penalties after he racially profiled, harassed, and threatened a Black man doing a good deed in his community. has worked in the past for MTV News, Billboard, and several other publications. 411 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[400 19]/Info 399 0 R/Length 74/Prev 280568/Root 401 0 R/Size 419/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream WEST POINT, N.Y. Army head coach Jeff Monken is giving a history lesson. Smyly was conducting extra patrols due to recent crime in the area when he encountered Atkinson with an unknown object in his left hand, according to a summary of the probe released by Boulder police Chief Greg Testa. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. KQ)csp W,M=--I3&\(4lPb&[ For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. Officer John Smyly was allowed to resign. He said Boulder either lacks the ability or will to root out racism from this police department. Despite the documentarys bleak outlook, the filmmakers remain optimistic, due in large part to the positive reception of the film so far. "The subject officer did not have probable cause to charge Mr Atkinson with any crime.". He will, however, remain an employee through February . Boulder officials conducted an investigation of the March incident of officer John Smyly confronting Zayd Atkinson outside his home. A white Colorado police officer who confronted a black man picking up trash around his dormitory resigned this week under an agreement that lets him collect $69,000 in salary despite violating department policies. Body camera footage released Thursday provided a full video account of the tense encounter, which gained national attention based on video shot by someone inside the building. "That means you can do whatever you want and break the law and get away with it.". (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) 1 of 2. "If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted. As part of his resignation agreement, Smyly will officially end his employment with Boulder on Feb. 9, 2020 after using his accrued floating holiday leave, sick and permitted administrative leave. On Thursday morning, the city of Boulder announced the investigation had closed and the officer, who had already resigned, had not racially profiled the man. D.L. "That just pisses me off that my tax money is going there to this guy to hang out for a year after breaking the law and breaching my rights," Atkinson said. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. Associated Press / May 17, 2019. Officer John Smyly resigned Wednesday ahead of a planned administrative hearing into his confrontation involving Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson in March, CBS Denver reported. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. May 16, 2019 / 5:17 PM / CBS Colorado. The body camera videos, the police reports and dispatch tapes related to the incident are available at https://t.co/Luru5y5XJk pic.twitter.com/1vquVsUp7u. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)? Chandler is a veteran of the Washington D.C. metro writing scene, working as a journalist, reporter, and culture critic. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. Youre gonna shoot a resident on his property for picking up trash?, Smyly drew his gun when the two men reached the back of the building, an investigative summary said. D.L. DENVER (AP) A white Colorado police officer who pulled out his gun during a confrontation with a black man picking up trash around his dormitory resigned this week under an agreement that lets him collect $69,000 in salary despite violating department policies. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. KATHLEEN FOODY. A white Colorado police officer caught on video pulling a gun on a black man who was picking up trash outside his home has resigned, officials said Thursday. Stop!. The city added that A white Colorado police officer who pulled out his gun during a confrontation with a black man picking up trash around his dormitory resigned this week . Facebook gives people the power to share. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, 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, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Fungus case forces Jack Daniels to halt construction, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US. The Boulder County Sheriff complaint line - 303-441-1759 The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. %%EOF is a native Washingtonian and resides in the Greater Washington area. They left after determining that Atkinson had a right to be on the property. Details of the payment amount were included in the City Council agenda packet released Thursday evening ahead of its . October 1, 2020. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney said. Recordings emerged of Greene referring to deputies in his department as "Black bastards" and "snakes.". Mr Smyly called for backup because Mr Atkinson was "unwilling to put down a blunt object". One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. He said he has had trouble sleeping since and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him.My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said.Carr, the city attorney, said the resignation agreement allowed the city to provide the community information more quickly, and it transitioned Officer Smyly out of a law enforcement career. The citys bargaining agreement with police officers requires an appeal for any disciplinary action and could have allowed Smyly to return to duty, he added.City officials said the investigation could not prove that Smyly acted because of Atkinsons race. John Smyly resigned from the BPD after pointing a gun at Black Naropa student Zayd Atkinson, and he was just hired by Boulder County Sheriff. That footage only showed Zayd Atkinson holding a bucket and a tool for picking up trash as police officers surrounded him outside the dormitory for students at Naropa University, a liberal arts school associated with Buddhism. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. ABC News noted that other officers arrived on the scene soon after. Privacy Legal & Trademarks Campus Map. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. "If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. setTimeout( function() { Such is the case of Boulder, Colo., police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson on March 1st this year. Now, 15 years later, Miller is once again using documentary film as a vehicle for social change. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. Officer quits after pulling gun on black college student picking up trash outside dorm. Mr Smyly attempted to detain Mr Atkinson . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. @dlchandler123. 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. 9.A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. Boulder PD releases body camera footage, reports. /9YmNx7|:900w40e =:(xe:`L01[ J @45aG1V !@ %ISB&=@I!IB=@w30=s Atkinson echoed Rathod's remarks in an interview with Denver7. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smy. The film "This Is Not Who We Are" includes the testimonials of several black Boulder . Smyly violated police authority and public trust and conduct, according to the review process that wouldve likely ended in his suspension or termination had he not already resigned from the department, police told the newspaper. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. A white police officer who pulled out his gun during a heated confrontation with a black college student picking up trash outside his Colorado dorm is resigning and will continue to collect his paycheck for the next eight months, city officials said. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, executive summary of the internal affairs investigation, body camera videos, police report and dispatch tapes, Activists call for citizen review board after Boulder officers detain black man. He said he has had trouble sleeping since and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. 418 0 obj <>stream The officer, John Smyly, was identified Thursday as the 14-year department veteran seen in a 16-minute video posted to YouTube after confronting Zayd Atkinson outside a Naropa University dorm in . Officer Smyly . Thats what youre gonna do officer? Famous Women Caught With Busted Up Feet [Photos], LL Cool J Explains The Meaning Of Pink Cookies In A Plastic Bag On Drink Champs, Toxic Avengers: Blueface Leaks Alleged Texts From Lil Baby To Chrisean Rock, 15 Music Stars Who Had Disturbing Relationships With Their Entourages [Photos], Twitter Reacts To Will Smith Joking About Chris Rock Slap In New Tik Tok Video, Brandon Smiley Laid To Rest Over The Weekend, Rickey Smiley Shares Photos & Videos, BET Uncut Is Not Coming Back; Here's Its 15 Wildest Videos Anyway, Finger Struggle: Celebrities With Crazy Looking Hands [Photos]. And then you make it beautiful, you hope, so that lots of people are moved by it and want to engage with it. The Boulder City Council has also created a task force to study police oversight. While we have no proof racial bias was a motivating factor, the internal affairs investigation resulted in sustained violations of police policies.. We would immediately lose our jobs.In a statement, City Attorney Tom Carr said firing the officer, John Smyly, would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job.Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. The city offered to settle with Atkinson for $125,000. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. John Smyly was found in violation of department policies and resigned in May 2019 after an internal investigation into Smyly's encounter with Zayd Atkinson in Boulder on March 1, 2019. But an independent review of the confrontation found no impropriety in the procedures . Initially freelancing at iOne Digital in 2010, he officially joined the iOne team in 2017 where he currently works as a Senior Editor for Cassius Life and Hip-Hop Wired. . This Is [Not] Who We Are won a prestigious Peoples Choice Award when it premiered at the Boulder International Film Festival in March, and after the screening, scores of people eagerly participated in a call-to-action discussion session. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned . 1202 University Avenue, 459 UCB Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. ", US police detain black man picking rubbish, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. The independent review, conducted by former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, Bob Troyer, will soon be released by the city. Smyly next asked for Atkinsons date of birth. Newly-released . On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a gun! Advertisement. John Smiley was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 12th round of the 1983 MLB June Amateur Draft from Perkiomen School (Pennsburg, PA). 'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.async=true;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs'); Atkinson provided his school ID, which did not have an address and then offered to let himself into the building as proof.Smyly next asked for Atkinsons date of birth. Mr Atkinson says in a video taken by a neighbour. In a documentary filmmaking class during her junior year at CU, Katrina Miller (Jour07) made a short movie about her friend, a Black student whod received a racially charged letter threatening her to step down from her post as student body president. As Atkinson attempted to continue to pick up trash, Smyly told him, Youre probably going to get tased, and eventually pulled out his gun, claiming Atkinsons trash grabber could be used as a weapon. The settlement allowed the city to provide the community information more quickly, and it transitioned Officer Smyly out of a law enforcement career, he said. The Boulder police officer who confronted a black Naropa student picking up trash outside his residence in March was . Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. PUBLISHED: May 16, 2019 at 9:28 a.m. | UPDATED: May 16, 2019 at 11:48 a.m. Carr said the resignation agreement allowed the city to provide the community information more quickly, and it transitioned Officer Smyly out of a law enforcement career. The citys bargaining agreement with police officers requires an appeal for any disciplinary action and could have allowed Smyly to return to duty, he added. At one point, eight police officers were surrounding Atkinson, but they eventually left after confirming Atkinson did indeed live in the building as he claimed. Thats what youre gonna do, officer? A police officer in Colorado has resigned after confronting a black student picking up rubbish outside his shared accommodation. The city said that an investigation did not find evidence of racial profiling. endstream endobj 401 0 obj <. John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. Cellphone footage shot by a neighbor showed Smyly holding his firearm amid the confrontation. Smyly drew his stun gun and followed Atkinson to the back of the building, repeatedly telling him to sit down on the ground and put the weapon down, referring to the trash tool. City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the only non . 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