Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. He is originally from Hawaii and enjoys the beach, camping, golf, beer and writing third-person bios about himself that exaggerate how outdoorsy he is. At this point, Smyly called in for a cover car and told Atkinson he was obstructing a police officer and was detaining him and investigating him for trespass. Cops don't know shit. 1st amendment audit fail, Youre Making Members Feel Uncomfortable & Im Here To Make Sure You Dont Do That Says PastorBob. Thats a gun! And any muting, covering or turning off of bodycams should always be classed as interference, obstruction and perversion of the law, The first version was cut Short this is the rest of the story, Even the other cop is stupid, he should told John Smyly he was picking up trash like him LOL. 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 city manager supports the proposed settlement., Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? And he is now surrounded by police. The nine other officers involved in the incident were cleared of any wrongdoing. Powered by. 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. We would immediately lose our jobs., Zayd Atkinson & John Smyly: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the condo-style . When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. 7:38AM. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. 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 claim that he racially profiled Zayd Atkinson, who is a student at Naropa University. Im not doing anything wrong. Contact Us if You Have Problems Creating Your Account at : Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) 1 of 2. As part of a settlement with the city, Smyly remained under city employment until February as he exhausted accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. Zayd Atkinson, who is a student at Naropa University. Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the Boulder Police Department had no prior disciplinary action, it was reported. Mr. Atkinson received a settlement of $125,000. 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. 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. Smyly abandoned that responsibility and should have been fired without delay, if only to make an example of him. Here, the PSU sergeant and command staff did not succumb to it., During the 16-minute standoff, multiple officers politely and calmly asked Mr. Atkinson to drop the trash grabber and sit down so they could talk, the report read. While we have no proof that racial bias was a motivating factor, the internal affairs investigation resulted in sustained violations of police policies, Car added. Authorities also released body camera footage from officers at the scene. ", US police detain black man picking rubbish, Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Zayd Atkinson could have lost his life. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. I tend to be very supportive of police officers, including in the most controversial of circumstances. Mr. And you have a camera on you, its filming right now. They serve, that's their job, not attack, no victim no crime. Is that an "Oops?" 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. John Smyly. 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. 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. Smyly should have left. Former officer John Smyly will continue to have an unblemished history with the Boulder Police Department. to sign up for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat. Officer Smyly drew his gun and called in backup during the confrontation in March. The officer "did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson", the department wrote in their report. This is a clamp!" John Smyly was found in violation of department policies and resigned in May 2019 after an internal investigation into Smylys encounter with Zayd Atkinson in Boulder on March 1, 2019. He will, however, remain an employee through February . Smyly is resigning but will "exhaust" his paid leave. Or mail cash/check/precious gemstones toP.O. and help keep the future of Westword, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Officer resigns but will get $69,000 The investigation, released on Thursday and available here, found no evidence of racial profiling but did say Smyly flouted two police department policies:. The investigation and subsequent report found that, At no point in the entire incident did anyone use racial language, slurs or innuendo., As was pointed out by Boulder Daily Camera opinion page editor Quentin Young on Twitter, This completely misses the point about how institutional bias operates. Under a settlement with the department, Mr Smyly will stay on the city payroll until February 2020. It is not possible to predict the outcome of a trial, the notes read, a standard caution that accompanies every large settlement that comes before council. See . The other officers who were involved in the incident were cleared of any wrongdoing in the escalating confrontation. Conducted by a former U.S. Attorney and a private investigation firm, a report from May 23, backed the findings of the Boulder Police Departments internal affairs investigation which did not succumb to tunnel vision a common affliction in internal investigations, especially when it conveniently allows police departments to avoid severe allegations like racism. Boulder residents have been betrayed. Pelle added the decision was very difficult because Smyly didnt violate any policies and has been a very productive, pleasant employee. Smyly will leave as soon as possible, once the projects hes working on are complete, with a departure deadline of the end of the year, according to Pelle. Pelle wrote that his initial hiring approval was based on Smyly being the best candidate for the job, which was a temporary, non-enforcement job with no public contact or representation.. 3:40. See Photos. Atkinson later reached a settlement with the city. Denver's independent source of Officer John Smyly confronted student Zayd Atkinson when he was picking up rubbish by his building. Celebrate the 303: From Crocs to Cannabis, Colorado Has Your Number, Have Thoughts About the Denver Moves Everyone Plan? When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. This is called high af on egoine a much stronger drug than heroine causes the servant to believe the masters of the house is his bitch. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. Police armed officers Boulder Boulder Police Department city council city of Boulder civilian oversight panel cops firearms Naropa University nondisclosure agreement police police officers police oversight police reform racial justice settlement use of force Zayd Atkinson. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The job was publicly posted in 2019, Wagner said. We've been shown this plenty of times. Colorado police officer John Smyly who pulled his gun on Zayd Atkinson, a student at Naropa University picking up trash in front of his apartment building, has resigned. Two U.S. Capitol Police officers sued Donald Trump, blaming him for "physical and emotional injuries" they sustained during the Jan. 6 invasion of the Capitol. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Colorado police confront man picking up trash on his lawn. Officer Smyly had been with the Boulder Police Department for 14 years and had no prior history of disciplinary action. 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. Under a settlement with the city, Smyly will remain on Boulders payroll until February 2020. Video of the incident from Smyly's body camera shows him. Do as you are told. See Photos. On March 1, 2019, black student Zayd Atkinson was confronted by Officer John Smyly while picking up litter outside his residence in Boulder, Colorado. By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our. music in this video Atkinson threatened to sue the city after several officers surrounded him on March 1, 2019, demanding that he put down the bucket and tool he was using to collect litter. one of them was holding a rifle which an investigative summary said fires bean bags, according to the AP. But sometimes there's just no excuse for police behavior. Atkinson was sitting in a partially enclosed. Put it down., Youre gonna shoot me? Youre obstructing a police officer which is a jail-able offense, Smyly says. Officer Smyly eventually called for backup to which multiple officers showed up and Smyly at one point did draw his gun. Btw, the kid picking up the garbage missed a great big blue piece ! 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. Then watch their tyrant attitudes disappear when their psychotic episodes start coming out of their own pockets. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the condo-style building, where . This is a bucket!, Smyly says, That is a weapon. The city's 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 . local news and culture. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. but it can also be stressful. 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. Boulder officials conducted an investigation of . Police body camera footage of the tense encounter was released on Thursday and showed Smyly approaching Atkinson asking if he lived or worked in the building where the student was using a metal clamp to pick up trash and put it in a bucket. He is the new face of racism, not too distant from the affable demeanor of David Duke. As the news station notes, Smyly would have likely been suspended or fired over the violation of department policies, but was able to resign before the disciplinary process concluded. According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson whether he lived in the building, which was Naropa student housing. Sheriff Pelle might be surprised if he were to poll his Black employees the limited number he has to hear their position on Smyly being hired after Smylys racist incident as an officer, Darren OConnor wrote in an email on behalf of the local NAACP chapter. He then begins commands for the student to sit down on the pavement as he calls for backup. 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. He is not the old time semi-literate southern brute. Previous post: Coronavirus in Boulder County: No confirmed cases; officials urge calm, caution, Next post: Coronavirus in Boulder County: Officials urge public not to panic just stay away from other people, It is not possible to predict the outcome of a trial, the notes read, a standard caution that accompanies every large settlement that comes before council. John is not enjoying the spotlight or controversy and understands it is necessary for him to leave. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Kazeem Oyeneyin answers the door at his home in Raleigh, N.C., on Aug. 17. Officer Smyly drew his gun and called in backup during the confrontation in March. The incident occurred on March 1, 2019. Officer John Smyly was among the Boulder Police Department members who rousted Naropa student Zayd Atkinson for picking up trash at his own home in March 2019. When did this change? 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. This news doesnt write itself. This is ridiculous, bro, Atkinson says. He resigned before a disciplinary process commenced. CNN . John Smyly. Click. We cant normalize this! Smyly politely (at first) asked Atkinson to prove he was a resident. 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." The Moving can be an exciting experience. If the second cop on the scene doesnt tackle the first cop and put him in a car then its all bullshit. James Freeman, If you were to somehow find out where John Smyly is living, then interrogate him in a stupid way like he did to this poor man, I would love to see that and consider it your best video. You guys dont have a goddamn right to be doing this to me. As the AP reports, the city decided to reach an agreement with Smyly in which the officer "resigned his police role on May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. The city added that Smyly resigned . As part of the settlement agreement between Smyly and the City of Boulder his file "will . What are you doing, officer? 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.. Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department, resigned from active duty on May 16. An independent consultant may be brought in to evaluate cases of major misconduct. According to the Boulder County Sheriffs Office, Smyly was hired in January on a two-year term position as a civilian training and development coordinator in the sheriffs computer support unit. 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. 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