All Rights Reserved. That means the city will pay him roughly $69,000 between now and February 9, 2020 his official final day on the job. 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. Atkinsons attorney, Siddhartha Rathod, said he thinks Smyly is getting off too easy. 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. Youre gonna shoot a resident on his property for picking up trash?An investigative summary said Smyly drew his gun when the two men reached the back of the building. 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. 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. 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. Mr. Rathod is correct. ", 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 citizens of Boulder should be outraged that Boulder either doesnt have the ability or the will to fire this officer and root out discrimination from this police department., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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A police internal affairs report said that Smylys choice to detain Atkinson was not supported by reasonable suspicion that Mr. Atkinson was committing, had committed, or was about to commit a crime.. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Privacy Legal & Trademarks Campus Map. Though National Geographic may have named Boulder the happiest city in America in 2017, that description is more true for some residents than others, the filmmakers argue. Recordings emerged of Greene referring to deputies in his department as "Black bastards" and "snakes.". 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. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned . Atkinson then raised his voice, causing the officer to become threatened by the trash grabber, according to the report. Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. D.L. 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. This is a clamp!" WEST POINT, N.Y. Army head coach Jeff Monken is giving a history lesson. 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 man he tried to bully and intimidate, Zayde Atkinson, NEVER gave in. As part of an agreement, hell remain an employee through February and earn roughly $69,000 in salary for unused holiday and sick time, officials said. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter.According to the new video footage, 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. {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. 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 . Atkinson also told ABC Newss Good Morning America in April that hes been struggling with stress and trauma since the encounter. 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. The city added that A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. D.L. Now, 15 years later, Miller is once again using documentary film as a vehicle for social change. PUBLISHED: May 16, 2019 at 9:28 a.m. | UPDATED: May 16, 2019 at 11:48 a.m. %PDF-1.6 % Boulder Police Department's investigation found Mr Smyly had violated the department's rules on police authority, public trust and conduct. He will, however, remain an employee through February . If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. 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. 17, 2019 at 1:00 PM PDT. But none of those officers, including Smyly, pointed their weapons at Atkinson, the report found. The Boulder County Sheriff complaint line - 303-441-1759 The city of Bouldersaid in a statement Thursday that officer John Smyly violated multiple department policies when heconfrontedZayd Atkinson, 26, in March. Embattled NC sheriff resigns again before DA details accusations against him in court. 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. In a settlement, Smyly lost his gig but still will collect $69,000 in salary and wont see a blemish on his work record. A video showing part of the scene went viral on the Internet, sparking outrage in the progressive Colorado city. 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. The student's lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, told local newspaper the Denver Post that he was disappointed Mr Smyly had not been fired and would still be paid. The city said that an investigation did not find evidence of racial profiling. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Authorities also released body camera footage from officers at the scene. The body camera footage of Officer Smyly shows the exchange between go sour after Atkinson told him that he was a resident and offered to show him his access . When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. Youre on my property with a gun in your hand, threatening to shoot me because Im picking up trash, Atkinson said. After about eight minutes, more Boulder police officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson. A documentary at this year's Denver Film Festival is challenging the City of Boulder's inclusive reputation. Watch: Police confront black man in his own yard. Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the buildings rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there. A white Colorado police officer has resigned after being caught on video drawing his gun on a black man who said he was picking up trash at his property. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. Call and let them know that by hiring officers who have a history of racial profiling, they are contributing to the racist culture of policing. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to . The city offered to settle with Atkinson for $125,000. Smyly is a 14-year department veteran was found in violation of two department policies. Mr. Atkinson turned, took out his ear buds, and asked what was going on. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. "I need to verify who you are," Smyly says. "Boulder is essentially saying, 'We're going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayd's life, for racially profiling Zayd,'" Rathod told The Associated Press. Zayd Atkinson was picking up trash in his front yard in the 2300 block of Arapahoe Avenue about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1, when Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department with no background of . 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. "The subject officer did not have probable cause to charge Mr Atkinson with any crime.". 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. Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police . "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. . Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. 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. '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'); Im not tryi. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. Advertisement. John Smiley had 1,284 strikeouts over his career. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) 1 of 2. We would immediately lose our jobs.. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. May 16, 2019, 9:54 PM. 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. Smyly attempted to detain Atkinson, a student at Naropa University in Boulder, asking him to prove he lived on the property. On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a gun! We still have people who really believe that Boulder is just this perfect town, who believe that what happened to Zayd was an isolated incident, so I want to reach every single resident somehow, some way, Miller said. . Atkinson's attorney, Denver-based civil rights attorney Siddhartha Rathod, said that Boulder was using taxpayer dollars to reward Smyly for racially profiling his client and putting Atkinson in fear for his life. John Smiley was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 12th round of the 1983 MLB June Amateur Draft from Perkiomen School (Pennsburg, PA). 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. KATHLEEN FOODY. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) Atkinson asked for Smylys supervisor several times during the footage and a total of eight officers and a sergeant responded to the scene. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. In a statement released on Thursday, The city of Boulder announced that an investigation found that Smyly violated two police department policies: Alumni Association 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. When Zayde continues to refuse to be John Smyly's b****, Smyly brandished a fire arm to try to further intimidate his victim into compliance. %%EOF We would immediately lose our jobs.. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney said. covers a variety of topics including breaking news, politics, Hip-Hop music and culture, fashion, and Black history. Atkinson can be seen holding a bucket and a metal trash grabber. 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. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. 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. Oyeneyin was handcuffed and detained in his own home after police responded to a burglar alarm in process. 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 . He will be on the city payroll until February 2020. 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. 1202 University Avenue, 459 UCB 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. D.L. Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun!After about eight minutes, more Boulder police officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson.One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. 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. 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. Most young men are single. Smyly resigned on May 15, before the conclusion of the disciplinary process. This is a bucket! hb```*f "If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted. Since Live PD and Cops was cancelled, James Freeman does LIVE STREAMING COP WATCHES. The police officer who pulled a gun on a man picking up trash outside his own home in Boulder, Colorado, has resigned, city officials said Thursday. The officer, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. By Breanna . "I don't have a weapon! CU ecologists are tracking down the surviving trees of the Front Ranges all but vanished apple orchards and priming a renewal. Mr Smyly attempted to detain Mr Atkinson . I thought that once the firearm was out that that meant that he was going to try to kill me, Atkinson said. The film "This Is Not Who We Are" includes the testimonials of several black Boulder . Kazeem Oyeneyin answers the door at his home in Raleigh, N.C., on Aug. 17. I found this video of John Smyly, whom I met personally in Japan in 2003 and dont think hes a racist, reason why I decided to make this video. John Smiley was a Pitcher. John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. One of the officers involved in the latter scenario, John Smyly, resigned from the BPD earlier this month. 2023 BBC. Stop!. 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. 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. 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