He has agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government. We did not see any opportunity for harm. In an effort to keep our community informed, we are now publishing some press peleases in whole. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/breaking and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Smyly, who had been on paid administrative leave since the incident, resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. The report released with the video 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. 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.. According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson whether he lived in the building, which was Naropa student housing. 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. but it can also be stressful. That's when the tense 22-minute stand-off ends. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. Listen now. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune). He will leave as soon as possible, and we placed a written deadline on departure by the end of the year. 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. Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. John is not enjoying the spotlight or controversy and understands it is necessary for him to leave. According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived there. Thats my fault, I take responsibility. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun!. Kazeem Oyeneyin answers the door at his home in Raleigh, N.C., on Aug. 17. The report concluded Smyly violated department policy during the encounter with Atkinson. According to a summary of the investigation released by Boulder police Chief Greg Testa, Smyly was conducting extra patrols on March 1 in the area of Folsom Street and Arapahoe Avenue due to recent crime in the area. Police: Worker shoots, kills manager at Hobby Lobby in Oklahoma City, Harry, Meghan asked to leave Windsor Estate home in further royal rift, FBI reportedly resisted searching Trumps Mar-a-Lago for classified documents, Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash, After shootings, Michigan State to restrict building access, Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming tragic story, GZA, Donnie Iris, John Mayer among top concerts to see around Pittsburgh in March, How officials cracked case of eyedrops that blinded people. We will try to b his position and transfer the work and have him finish the projects he has in progress on our RMS replacement so that we dont have to start over. 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. Concluding the investigation allows the city to release all of the information relating to the incident, allowing community members to form their own opinions based on all of the available information, Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr said in a statement. Ultimately, I approved the hire. ", 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. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Amy Bounds covers K-12 education for the Boulder Daily Camera and Longmont Times-Call, Former Boulder police officer John Smyly to, 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 to leave Boulder County job, F. 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After about eight minutes, more officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. All rights reserved. Oyeneyin was handcuffed and detained in his own home after police responded to a burglar alarm in process. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. 10-1! Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the. 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. 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. 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. The NAACPs Boulder County chapter shared its concerns about Smylys hiring with Sheriff Joe Pelle, who sent a letter Oct. 1 to the chapter to share that his office determined his hiring was not helpful to our equity work., Our staff spoke to John Smyly yesterday concerning the controversy over his temporary position here, Pelle wrote. He. Newly-released body camera video shows how it all started. It's like Live PD, except actually live, and without the \"cops can do no wrong\" bias.music in this videoLove Is Blind (Instrumental Version) - Coma Svenssonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u78BBpHcz44Wasted Education - Blue Topazhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqmKzeeDj54 But Carr did elaborate on the decision not to fire or suspend Smyly in the statement. The settlement allowed the city to provide the community information more quickly, and it transitioned Officer Smyly out of a law enforcement career.. In the body camera footage, Atkinson can be seen several times walking away from Smyly, with Smyly following after him and ordering him to sit down. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said. New video shows moment Boulder officer pulled gun on black man picking up trash in own yard. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). Jalen Carter, a top NFL draft prospect and potential target for Bears, charged with reckless driving and racing in fatal accident, Want to see Venus and Jupiter together? 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. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to . Officer down, officer down!: 911 call from scene where Chicago cop shot, left very critical on Southwest Side, Photos: Chicago cop shot, left very critical on Southwest Side, Colson Montgomery, the Chicago White Soxs top prospect, is taking it all in during major-league camp, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. Thats what youre gonna do, officer? 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. 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.. Opinion: Colorado farms going fallow? (Giannis Papanikos/AP). Under a settlement with the city, Smyly will remain on Boulder's payroll until February 2020. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. 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. 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. He has agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government. Ed Burke since 1969 won by Jeylu Gutierrez, Ald. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. A Cactus League road game Tuesday came hours after Seiya Suzuki's disappointment of his oblique strain and outlook at what comes next for the Chicago Cubs right fielder. 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. 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. 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. "I couldn't help but notice you sitting on the patio out there," officer John Smyly says in the video. The Moving can be an exciting experience. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. The footage shows Smyly investigating Atkinson for trespassing. YouTube file photo 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. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. The subject officer did not have probable cause to charge Mr. Atkinson with any crime. 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 disciplinary appeal process required by the police collective bargaining agreement likely would have overturned a termination of the officer, and he would have returned to duty after extensive additional delay, Carr said in the statement. Newly-released. Obviously, I still have things to learn.. 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. ", "I just told you I lived here and I told you that I'm working as well," 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson responded. 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. Gen Z Voices: Attending school on a tribal reservation, and outside of it, led Aidan Gover to discover the disparities in education. As many as 700,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid health coverage this year, Cactus League report: Drew Smyly is working with a Cubs new catcher and the White Soxs opportunistic plan on the bases. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. 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 other responding officers were cleared of any wrongdoing by the report, but the department said the encounter has uncovered the need for further training. 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." ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream, a black man confronted by a Boulder police officer. 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. Tracking the Chicago Blackhawks moves before the NHL trade deadline. Read more here. 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 collect $69,000 in salary despite violating department policies. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. 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. The iconic deep dish chain is focusing on expanding its franchise restaurants. 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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. Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly is introduced at the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, Jan. 13, 2023, in Chicago. Sign up here and we will see you in the morning! The officer was identified today as 40-year-old John Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department with no prior disciplinary action. John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. John Smyly Current Workplace. Heres what it all means. 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 officer in Boulder left under an agreement that lets him collect salary despite violating department policies. 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. 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. 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, which is housing for the university. When Smyly asked for an address and date of birth, Atkinson walked away and began to pick up trash again. 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. (Tribune photo by Nancy Stone). 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. 9191 46 Comments 15 Shares Share Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. Smyly decided to approach Atkinson on foot, and saw that he was using a long metal claw to pick up trash and put it in a bucket. LOVELAND, Colo., Feb. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Meyer Natural Foods, a leading provider of natural and organic proteins, announces the appointment of John Keating as the company's new Chief . On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a gun! Here's what else is happening today. Venus, the moon, Mars, and Jupiter are all visible in the eastern sky above Lake Michigan before sunrise June 23, 2022, in Chicago. Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there. 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