Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role on May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. 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. John is not enjoying the spotlight or controversy and understands it is necessary for him to leave. 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. The officer allegedly struck a Bridgeview teen more than 10 times in the face and head as he was laying face down in the street during an arrest captured on video last July. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. Boulder is essentially saying were going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayds life, for racially profiling Zayd, said Atkinsons attorney, Siddhartha Rathod. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. (Facebook . Located across the street from one another on Ohio Street in downtown Chicago, Pizzeria Uno and Due are owned by Uno Restaurant Holdings Corp., which announced it is selling its frozen pizza division to focus on expanding the restaurant franchise. We looked at this through the lens of safety and exposure. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. Subscribe to more newsletters | COVID-19 tracker | Compare home values by ZIP code | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Ask Amy, Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council of American Islamic Relations, speaks as Travis Grant, second left, acting national director of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and family attorney Zaid Abdallah look on, as they address charges against an Oak Lawn police officer Feb. 15, 2023. Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth. One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. The City of Boulder released a statement Thursday saying, "while the finding likely would have resulted in suspension or possibly termination, Officer Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process. 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. 2023 Colorado Public Radio. John is not enjoying, agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government. "Shouldn't that be enough for you?". The city of Boulder is paying this officer nearly $80,000 for violating the constitutional rights of Zayd. Opening day might not be in play because of Suzuki's moderate left oblique strain, making the rest of the spring important for the organization to figure out its options if he can't go at the beginning of the season. New video shows moment Boulder officer pulled gun on black man picking up trash in own yard. Boulder police officer who confronted black, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Get to know all 17 Denver mayor candidates , Boulder police officer who confronted black Naropa student to resign, Denver East High student dies more than two weeks after being shot outside school, Multiple Colorado schools temporarily placed under secure status due to threats, Off-duty Denver police officer hits, kills man walking on road, Woman shot near CU Boulder overnight, suspect is at large, Boulder King Soopers shooting suspect has schizophrenia, defense says, Denver airport CEO Phil Washington tangles with Sen. Ted Cruz during FAA confirmation hearing, Man killed in shooting outside of Aurora apartment complex, who confronted a black Naropa student picking up trash outside his residence in March, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, Coloradans may have another chance to see the northern lights Monday night, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, Feds sue water company for rupture damaging Rocky Mountain National Park -- again, Price of gas in Colorado has risen 51% since Suncor's refinery shutdown in late December. Stop!. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. The City of Boulder released a statement Thursday saying, "while the finding likely would have resulted in suspension or possibly termination, Officer Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process. 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. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun!. Newly-released. Former Boulder police officer John Smyly takes, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Former Boulder police officer John Smyly takes temporary civilian position with sheriffs office, Applications being accepted for vacancy created by Boulder County judges death, Man charged with hiding explosive in suitcase at Lehigh Valley airport; Allegiant flight was bound for Florida, Defendant in Boulder peeping incidents pleads guilty, Police investigate another phone threat to Boulder High, Brought to you by Prairie Mountain Publishing, who resigned after pointing a gun at a Black Naropa student, Boulder police investigating overnight shooting, suspect still at large, Years later, Boulder officials look for compromise as affordable housing promise at former Fruehaufs site still unfulfilled, Colorado grocery stores can begin selling wine on Wednesday, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. He says funding is key. 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. Oyeneyin was handcuffed and detained in his own home after police responded to a burglar alarm in process. 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. ", 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 committed, or was about to commit a crime. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, a black man confronted by a Boulder police officer. The footage shows Smyly investigating Atkinson for trespassing. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly is introduced at the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, Jan. 13, 2023, in Chicago. Former officer John Smyly will continue to have an unblemished history with the Boulder Police Department. He. Jim Gardiner is top vote-getter, likely headed to runoff with Megan Mathias, which mayoral candidate received the most votes in your ward, Oak Lawn officer pleads not guilty in violent arrest captured on video, allegedly struck teen more than 10 times, Woman, 55, fatally wounded Tuesday night in North Austin neighborhood, Man fatally injured when SUV falls on him near Gages Lake, Pizzeria Uno sells frozen pizza division to Romeoville-based Great Kitchens. He should have slept longer.. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. The Boulder Chapter of the NAACP, which emailed the Camera about the hire, decried Smylys hiring in a statement. How do you feel?" Tracking the Chicago Blackhawks moves before the NHL trade deadline. 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. 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. BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - John Smyly, a Boulder police officer, has resigned after his department says he violated two rules when he questioned and followed a Naropa University student who was . 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. but it can also be stressful. According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson whether he lived in the building, which was Naropa student housing. If you know what department Smyly is working it, please email that information to realjamesfreeman@gmail.com, so I can publicly publish that information, warning potential new victims.ID Refusal by Boulder Colorado man, Zayde Atkinson results in threats and officer John Smyly brandishing a fire arm.email videos you want covered on this channel to Realjamesfreeman@gmail.com James Freeman does first amendment audits, cop watching, cop blocking, and more. If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted, Rathod said. ", "I just told you I lived here and I told you that I'm working as well," 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson responded. When Smyly asked for an address and date of birth, Atkinson walked away and began to pick up trash again. ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News . Keyserling could not say if an officer still employed with the city would have the record included in their file. All rights reserved. Patrick von Keyserling, communications director for the city, confirmed that the results of the internal investigation will not go into his file. 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 . 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. 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. Debris of trains lie on the rail lines after a collision in Tempe, about 235 miles north of Athens, near Larissa, Greece, March 1, 2023. Thats what youre gonna do, officer? Atkinsons attorney Siddhartha Rathod said he was disappointed Smyly was not fired and instead was allowed to resign and remain on the citys payroll until 2020. The Moving can be an exciting experience. When Smyly asked for an address and date of birth, Atkinson walked away and began to pick up trash again. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. 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. Some understood the past controversy in his role as a city police officer, so they brought this decision to some of our executive staff members, including myself, for discussion. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. Since Live PD and Cops was cancelled, James Freeman does LIVE STREAMING COP WATCHES. Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there. 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. Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. "I couldn't help but notice you sitting on the patio out there," officer John Smyly says in the video. Stop!. Based upon your concerns over the hire of former Boulder Police Department Officer John Smyly in the computer support section of the sheriffs office, the hire was given another review. Smyly approached Atkinson on foot, and saw that he was using a long metal claw to pick up trash and put it in a bucket. 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. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race. We have concluded this hire was not helpful to our equity work, and I wish to inform you of the resolution to the issue. While the department said it could not support a claim of racial profiling in Smylys March 1 encounter with Zayd Atkinson, he did violate two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. Youre gonna shoot a resident on his property for picking up trash?, Zayd Atkinsons attorney, Siddhartha Rathod: "Boulder either lacks the ability or will to root out racism from this police department. https://t.co/hYSl9TRy3x, Blair Miller (@blairmiller) May 16, 2019, Smyly drew his gun when the two men reached the back of the building, an investigative summary said. A Kentucky man charged in the deaths of three law enforcement officers during an ambush in a small Appalachian town has been found dead in his jail cell. Boulder is essentially saying were going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayds life, for racially profiling Zayd, said Atkinsons attorney, Siddhartha Rathod. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. 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. Sign up here and we will see you in the morning! The independent review, conducted by former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, Bob Troyer, will soon be released by the city. We w, This was very difficult because John has not violated any policies here and has been a very productive. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun!. The former Boulder police officer who resigned after pointing a gun at a Black Naropa student has agreed to leave his temporary civilian position with the Boulder County Sheriffs Office after complaints from the Boulder County NAACP chapter. Kazeem Oyeneyin answers the door at his home in Raleigh, N.C., on Aug. 17. We would immediately lose our jobs.. Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. Im not tryi. Incumbent Daniel La Spata nears outright victory but may face Sam Royko in runoff, while Proco Joe Moreno falls short, Seat held by Ald. The officer, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. Boulder Police Officer Resigns After Confronting Black Man Picking Up Trash, News That Matters, Delivered To Your Inbox. The incident has resulted in Boulder City Council forming a committee to explore a police oversight committee, while the incident is still under an independent review. "I'm just checking to make sure that you have a right to be here, that's all. We did not see any opportunity for harm. He will leave as soon as possible, When our staff interviewed the candidates for this term position, Some understood the past controversy in his role as a, city police officer, so they brought this decision to some of our executive staff members, including, discussion. 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.. Obviously, I still have things to learn.. According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived there. Smyly approached Atkinson on foot, and saw that he was using a long metal claw to pick up trash and put it in a bucket. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). 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