John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa University student Zayd . 400 0 obj <> endobj 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 . "I don't have a weapon! Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role on May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. Mr. Rathod is correct. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. 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. All Rights Reserved. On body-camera footage the city released Thursday, Atkinson can be heard saying, Im a student, I live here Im doing my job.. . Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. Privacy Legal & Trademarks Campus Map. All Rights Reserved. %%EOF City officials said the investigation could not prove that Smyly acted because of Atkinsons race. These four House Republicans broke with the GOP to oppose inflation estimates McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson. "The subject officer did not have probable cause to charge Mr Atkinson with any crime.". The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. 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. Authorities have completed the investigation into a Boulder police officer who tried to detain a black man cleaning trash around his home, and the police department has released all related body camera footage and reports. BOULDER, Colo. One of the Boulder police officers who confronted a black man as he was picking up trash in his yard has been found to be in violation of department policies and has resigned . On Thursday, the city announced the conclusion of an internal investigation, saying it found Smyly violated two department policies could not substantiate claims of racial bias. 2023 BBC. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. He is likely employed at a different police department at this time. 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. Im picking up trash! He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. The film "This Is Not Who We Are" includes the testimonials of several black Boulder . Smyly is a 14-year department veteran was found in violation of two department policies. According to the summary, one officer drew his handgun when he arrived but re-holstered it in less than a minute while Smyly had his gun out until Atkinson put the trash-grabbing tool down.The report released with the video footage said Smyly had no authority to detain Atkinson or probable cause to charge him with any crime and should have left once Atkinson provided his name, address and his reason for being there.Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. "If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. This is a clamp!" Under a settlement with the department, Mr Smyly will stay on the city payroll until February 2020. He is not allowed to be reinstated to the Boulder Police Department. This is a bucket. What Smyly did should have incurred harsher charges but here we are. 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. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. Atkinson responded by showing the officer his school identification card and telling him that he lived there. Atkinsons behavior reportedly led Smyly to radio for backup because the resident was being uncooperative and unwilling to put down a blunt object, a police statement obtained by ABC News said. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. They left after determining that Atkinson had a right to be on the property. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. View the profiles of people named John Smyly. Recordings emerged of Greene referring to deputies in his department as "Black bastards" and "snakes.". Officer Smyly . City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race. He said he has had trouble sleeping since and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. @O $6(|a*P`t@dLYYo&$ ()lTA johhUCWLe8*%BsS@35,\4'Jaqm>$BlvR6 But the movie goes much deeper than this moment, exploring how Boulders earliest history made it nearly impossible for people of color to succeed in the idyllic city in the shadow of the Flatirons. Boulder Is the Happiest City in the U.S. For Some, Marshall Fire Devastates CU Boulder Community. Featuring historical context and emotional interviews with present-day Black residents of Boulder including children and teens grappling with racist bullies at school This Is [Not] Who We Are shows another side of a city that views itself as progressive. Thats what youre gonna do, officer? The film centers on a recent incident that made headlines around the world: In March 2019, Boulder police officer John Smyly confronted and, ultimately, pointed his gun at Zayd Atkinson, a Black man and a student at Naropa University who was picking up trash outside of his dorm as part of his work-study job. John Smyly, the Boulder, Colorado, officer who initiated contact with Zayd Atkinson that resulted in a tense interaction where several officers drew their guns, was allowed to resign. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. Stop!. %PDF-1.6 % Atkinsons attorney, meanwhile, said he was upset that Smyly is allowed to stay on the citys payroll for more than eight months. If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted, attorney Siddhartha Rathod told the newspaper. An attorney for Atkinson called the agreement with the city of Boulder ridiculous., Boulder is essentially saying, 'Were going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayds life, for racially profiling Zayd,' attorney Siddhartha Rathod said. 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. Video shows Smyly approaching Atkinson in a partially enclosed patio area behind a private property sign, prompting the officer to ask if the man had a right to be there. Supervised 25 different police officer trainees, evaluating job performance and developing training plans to encourage professional growth and improve deficiencies. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. A police officer in Colorado has resigned after confronting a black student picking up rubbish outside his shared accommodation. 0 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. Now, the creators are fielding requests to screen the film in Boulder and beyond; theyre also creating accompanying study guides to help people understand and discuss the themes depicted in the film. Learn more about John S.'s . One officer drew his handgun when he arrived but reholstered it in less than a minute, while Smyly had his gun out until Atkinson put the trash-grabbing tool down, according to the summary. 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. Thats what youre gonna do officer? Mr Smyly called for backup because Mr Atkinson was "unwilling to put down a blunt object". We would immediately lose our jobs.. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. 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. A video showing part of the scene went viral on the Internet, sparking outrage in the progressive Colorado city. KQ)csp W,M=--I3&\(4lPb&[ I didnt know what else to do besides, you know, to fight with my voice and to practice my rights, which were thoroughly being breached., THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. 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 Smyly . D.L. 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. Embattled NC sheriff resigns again before DA details accusations against him in court. More officers -- 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn. "I need to verify who you are," Smyly says. It can be a great influencer, and Ive always known that there are certain issues in the world I want to address and the best medium to do that, for me, was film.. 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 . hb```*f Authorities also released body camera footage from officers at the scene. City Attorney Tom Carr said the exchange between Smyly and Atkinson does not represent the professionalism of the department. May 16, 2019 / 5:17 PM / CBS Colorado. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Atkinson then raised his voice, causing the officer to become threatened by the trash grabber, according to the report. 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. 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. 418 0 obj <>stream Maybe he got a suspicious call or saw something but things escalated. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinson's race. window.addEventListener( 'loadOrInteraction', function() { The subject officer should have ended his contact with Mr. Atkinson as soon as Mr. Atkinson provided his name, address and a brief explanation of what he was doing, the report read. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. The shepherd boy, the wolf and the threat to Israeli democracy. Smyly, who had been on paid leave since the tense encounter, was found in violation of two department policies but resigned his post before the end of the citys disciplinary process. Now, 15 years later, Miller is once again using documentary film as a vehicle for social change. Simon and Sally Glass say findings vindicate their belief that their son was murdered by Clear Creek County sheriff's deputies. 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. According to the summary, one officer drew his handgun when he arrived but re-holstered it in less than a minute while Smyly had his gun out until Atkinson put the trash-grabbing tool down. Boulder Police Officer John Smyly quit . 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. 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. Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. Boulder police launch an internal investigation after a video surfaces showing officers confronting an African American man picking up trash in Boulder, Colorado. The city on Thursday announced the settlement but did not include the terms in a news release. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. 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. The findings likely would have resulted in suspension or possible termination, according to the department. 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. We would immediately lose our jobs.. Atkinson can be seen holding a bucket and a metal trash grabber. The investigation report said that while Mr Smyly had not used racial language during the incident and had "specifically" told them his actions were not based on Mr Atkinson's race, the student had disagreed. Atkinson also told ABC Newss Good Morning America in April that hes been struggling with stress and trauma since the encounter. John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. We would immediately lose our jobs.. He will be on the city payroll until February 2020. Department rule 8 (Conduct): Members use reasonable judgment and refrain from conduct which reflects unfavorably on the department. On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a gun! Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. The report released with the video footage said Smyly had no authority to detain Atkinson or probable cause to charge him with any crime and should have left once Atkinson provided his name, address and his reason for being there. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun!. {mosads}While the finding likely would have resulted in suspension or possibly termination, Officer Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, the statement said. Smylys resignation comes more than two months after he and other officers confronted Atkinson,a student at Naropa University, at the patio area of his apartment, according to ABC News. ", 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. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. DENVER >> 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 . (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) 1 of 2. A white Colorado police officer who confronted a black man picking . October 1, 2020. 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. A documentary at this year's Denver Film Festival is challenging the City of Boulder's inclusive reputation. Atkinson then started to walk away and continue picking up trash after Smyly asked for his address and date of birth, leading Smyly to radio for help. On March 1 st, 2019, Officer John Smyly was conducting patrols when he saw Atkinson seated on a bench of the building that said "private property."Smyly approaches Atkinson as he sits on the bench to ask if he resides in the building. I have practiced law for over 28 years, 14 of those years as a federal prosecutor and . Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. 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. 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. "I don't have a weapon. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race. Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the buildings rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there.After Atkinson said he did, Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. 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].