However, they are crucial to any rooms look and feel. Mitchell Byars has been reporting for the Daily Camera since 2011, covering breaking news and courts. John Smyly. He claims weve had some stuff going on in the area. During the incident the man gave officers his university ID and said repeatedly that he lived and worked at the shared occupancy building. Police have released several body camera videos that depict what happened that winter day at the dormitory where Zyad Atkinson lived. How do you think about that? According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived in the building, which was Naropa student housing. 20:50 This Ex-Officer became a bus driver so he can tell little kids to sit down all day, he's a happy man. Youd better think about it. 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. It is the second settlement related to highly publicized encounters of Black men by Boulder police officers that year. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. Obviously, I still have things to learn.. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u78BBpHcz44, Wasted Education Blue Topaz Atkinson said he lived there. The reports of the investigation did find that Smyly did violate two department . Do you have anything with your address on it?. Smyly tells him, Sit down or youre going to get tased in a second because you have a weapon. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. ego driven , the nerve to call the garbage tool a weapon !!! and help keep the future of Westword, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Sign Up. The interaction has lasted nearly eight minutes. A police internal affairs report obtained by ABC News shows Smyly's decision to attempt to detain Atkinson "was not supported by reasonable suspicion that Mr. Atkinson was committing, had. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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. A screen capture of Officer Waylon Lolotai shoving Kelly Clark. 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. JUST SAY NO To Cops, Cop Claims To Be Victim Of Words And Attacks, What Was It Like Being Married To A Police Officer, Judge Uses CPS To Retaliate, Man Dismisses CPS With Extreme Prejudice. Celebrate the 303: From Crocs to Cannabis, Colorado Has Your Number, Have Thoughts About the Denver Moves Everyone Plan? I could get lawyers, sir. Are you kidding me?, Smyly presses on. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. I cant believe that they hired him back . Atkinson is becoming upset by the officers relentlessness interrogation. 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. John Smyly. 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. The Boulder Chapter of the NAACP, which emailed the Camera about the hire, decried Smylys hiring in a statement. We've been shown this plenty of times. 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. Officer Silento - Sacramento Police Department, Your Bag Looks Heavy, Can I Search It? The lawsuit says Trump "inflamed,. Smyly says, into a police radio presumably, that Atkinson has a blunt object in his hand: hes failing to comply with some kind of a blunt object in his hands. They also asked Pelle to extend an invitation to Smyly from the NAACP to participate in a healing justice model, modeled after the restorative justice process used in the criminal justice system. But John is smart, and he uses his intelligence to further his white man's volition. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but as part of a settlement with the city he remained under city employment until February while exhausting accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. John Smyly was going to get his suspect's date of birth because it was his prerogative that it be so, even after his own supervisor was satisfied that he was not trespassing in his own dorm. 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. The police internal investigation concluded Smyly violated department policy during the encounter with Atkinson, and the independent report backed those conclusions, saying Smyly made some pivotal mistakes including asking for Atkinsons date of birth when he was not entitled to that information and mistakenly believing he had reasonable suspicion that a crime was occurring. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. The city offered to settle with Atkinson for $125,000. 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. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms. The nine other officers involved in the incident were cleared of any wrongdoing. The officer "did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson", the department wrote in their report. That call was a knowing way for that cop to create extreme physical harm to that civilian. 1st amendment audit fail, Youre Making Members Feel Uncomfortable & Im Here To Make Sure You Dont Do That Says PastorBob. As part of a settlement with the city, Smyly remained under city employment until February as he exhausted accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. What, on a public sidewalk? However, they are crucial to any rooms look and feel. 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Officer John Smyly (Photo: Boulder Police Department) The. "If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted," Siddhartha Rathod said. Im outside picking up garbage., Smyly tells Atkinson this is your last chance Im detaining you on investigation for trespassing., I live here! We appreciate that in your letter to us you have confirmed your commitment to the efforts of the county to address race and equity issues.. Smyly is a 14-year department veteran was found in violation of two department policies. 3:40. 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. They want this guy teaching others anything is absurd. Mr Atkinson told local broadcaster CBS4 Denver he was glad Officer Smyly was "being held accountable for something but it seems like it's just bare minimum things". CNN . Environmental Health Officer SMYLY, John William Correspondence address Ingleside, Brentor, Tavistock, United Kingdom, PL19 0NG . Smyly was hired by the sheriffs office in January on a two-year term position as a civilian training and development coordinator in the sheriffs computer support unit. What kind of message is that. good boy". " City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinson's race. 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. He will, however, remain an employee through February . As part of a settlement with the city, Smyly remained under city employment until February as he exhausted accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Since Live PD and Cops was cancelled, James Freeman does LIVE STREAMING COP WATCHES. The Boulder City Attorney was quoted as saying there was no proof that racial bias was a motivating factor in the incident. Join the Westword community and help support According to the report, Atkinson raised his voice and Smyly felt threatened by the trash grabber and drew his stun gun and then drew his handgun. More tax payers money going out the window . If you know what department Smyly is working it, please email that information to [email protected], so I can publicly publish that information, warning potential new victims. complexesBUT what if had killed that young man? What are you doing, officer? Served as the training and curriculum development lead for the implementation of a $6M Records Management System for the Boulder County Sheriff's . I wonder how a cop would feel if the person he was confronting gave a call and people start emerging from all round, surround the cop?It is downright creepy how they do this.What is worse is that no-one questions or clarifies the call out. We cant normalize this! All rights reserved. Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the condo-style building, where . John Smyly lost his police job. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun! Atkinson can be heard protesting. Atkinson continues to pick up trash as Smyly appears to be escalating the interaction by following him around the dorm building demanding an ID with the address printed on it. But he misses the point. This is a bucket! to sign up for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat. Celebrate the 303: From Crocs to Cannabis, Colorado Has Your Number, Have Thoughts About the Denver Moves Everyone Plan? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Im not doing anything wrong. Given the projected costs of litigation, the city attorney believes that it is unlikely that the city will be in a significantly better economic position by litigating the case as compared to accepting the settlement offer. Officer Smyly drew his gun and called in backup during the confrontation in March. 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. The settlement allowed the city to provide the community information more quickly, and it transitioned Officer Smyly out of a law enforcement career.. Tuck tail and go back to work. Put it down!. Why would you think that you can tase me? 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. 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. Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat. If you have information about the department Smyly is working for now, please email the information to [email protected], so I can publish it, warning potential new victims of his presence. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. Your email address will not be published. Jon Smyly. A settlement is the best option for the city in the face of legal action, staff wrote in notes to city council. The ground!? Covering City Council and Sundry, with flair, Friday, March 13, 2020 (Updated Monday, March 16). "Just wondering if you have a right to be here." Things got tense when Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth, which Atkinson refused to provide. 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. Zayd Atkinson could have lost his life. one of them was holding a rifle which an investigative summary said fires bean bags, according to the AP. Captain Bill Smyly, who has died aged 95, was one of the last veterans of the two Chindit expeditions in the Burma . In response, NAACP leaders wrote that theyre glad Smyly will be leaving the position, as well as saying they appreciated the acknowledgement that Pelle failed to consider the impact the hiring decision might have had on people of color. 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. Atkinson is by now very upset. Im picking up trash! Mr Atkinson says in a video taken by a neighbour. See Photos. Smyly accused Atkinson of obstructing an officer, a jailable offense. Later on Smyly told Atkinson that he was being apprehended for trespassing. [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. Put it down! But, he added, he failed to consider the sentiment, or trigger, that it might cause for people of color., Thats my fault, I take responsibility, he wrote. The man he tried to bully and intimidate, Zayde Atkinson, NEVER gave in. Atkinsons attorney did not respond to requests for comment. James Freeman does first amendment audits, cop watching, cop blocking, and more. This is a clamp!" 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. Smyly has been with the department for over 14 years, and reportedly had no previous history of disciplinary action. John Smyly. 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. Atkinson points to it and reads it to the officer. How do feel? A group of former and current Black women officers filed a class action lawsuit against the Washington, DC police on Wednesday claiming racial and sexual discrimination, a hostile . 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:. 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. 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. Why would you want someone like that on their team? The Moving can be an exciting experience. source, Your email address will not be published. Atkinson then walked away from the officer, who had no right to detain him based on the evidence he had gained at that point. Btw, the kid picking up the garbage missed a great big blue piece ! I give the orders. 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! OfficerSmyly,evenafterseeingmyvalidschoolID,assertedthathewasdetainingmeanddrew,atvaryingtimes,hisTaserandhisgun. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqmKzeeDj54 Thats what youre gonna do, officer? If these cocksuckers want to defend this type of behavior, they don't get to complain when they get a taste of it. Council in October approved a new structure that will include an oversight board and a permanent staff member to serve as a liaison between the community and cops, as well as monitoring internal investigations and auditing policies and practices. I work here. Smyly says, OK, gotcha, but begins to interrogate Atkinson asking what the dorm address is. Im not doing anything illegal. ID Refusal by Boulder Colorado man, Zayde Atkinson results in threats and officer John Smyly brandishing a fire arm. The city manager supports the proposed settlement., Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson near his home in Boulder. police officer who initiated contact with a Black man. 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. Elected officials must OK any settlement greater than $10,000, per city code. 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.. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. However, none of the officers explained why they wanted him to sit down. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. The former Boulder police officer who resigned after pointing a gun at a Black Naropa student has taken a temporary civilian position with the Boulder County Sheriffs Office. 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. I need to verify who you are, Smyly says. Most officers do difficult, dangerous work confronting unpleasant individuals. Like we,ve nirmalized " GET ON THE GROUND NOW "! Authorities also released body camera footage from officers at the scene. Capitol police officers who were attacked and beaten during the insurrection at the US Congress on 6 January by extremist supporters of Donald Trump filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the former . Spoiler: A just-released report backed up an internal affairs police investigation that found there was no racial profiling involved in this incident. Student Zyad Atkinson and now-former Boulder police John Smyly. The video begins with Smyly approaching Atkinson during the daytime outside student housing. When Smyly asked for an address and date of birth, Atkinson walked away and began to pick up trash again. 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. 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. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. An independent consultant may be brought in to evaluate cases of major misconduct. 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. Email: [email protected]. He lived in the dorm and was directly outside the building picking up the litter when he was approached by then-Boulder Police officer John Smyly. More officers -- 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn. Regardless of the fact that it is a civilian job, there are probably minorities in the office setting and now they know they tolerate a racist ex-cop! | The J-Town Press, Cops get shut down. 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 . Police say Smyly was wrong, but didn't racially profile Atkinson. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. Is that an Oops? John Smyly lost his police job. The term position John fills is in an unsworn, civilian position, and is not in a public-facing role, Wagner wrote in an email to the Camera. Black student at Naropa University whom he rousted for picking up trash on his own property, Brady letters, which single out problematic cops, 365 former cops banned from police employment in Colorado. After providing his student ID, Atkinson . document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Throw me some cash if you've got it so I can keep you informed. John Smyly. 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 viral video that captured his over-the-top harassment of Zayd Atkinson, a, Become a member to support the independent voice of Denver 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. Im telling you Im threatened by it., Atkinson says, You have a gun that kills people!. Video of the incident from Smyly's body camera shows him detaining Atkinson without reasonable suspicion and then harassing the man. Atkinson, a student at Naropa University, was picking up trash outside his residence. All of those cops should spend 20 years in jail. Im a citizen of this country!. pulled guns on a Naropa student of color on his own property, lawsuit threat against the Boulder Police Department. I love how the young man vehemently stood up for himself. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Windows are often overlooked when designing or purchasing home decor. Given the projected costs of litigation, the city attorney believes that it is unlikely that the city will be in a significantly better economic position by litigating the case as compared to accepting the settlement offer.