"But I'm not surprised that this happened to me and I won't be surprised if it happens again tomorrow, or the next day, until we do something about it," he added. 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. The officer, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. The settlement has been reported to be a sum of $125,000. During his interview, the subject officer stated that at this point, he was unaware of Mr. Atkinsons race, because he had only seen him from a distance and approached him from behind, the incident summary states. Zayd Atkinson was among the more than 600 protesters in Boulder on Sunday who marched from . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. We should know where he is and if he's allowed to work as a cop or in a field that requires public trust. The body camera videos, the police reports . The City of Boulder approved a $125,000 payment to Atkinson in 2020. . Class 1 Professional Standards investigation for alleged violation of: Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If it aint broke, dont fix it, the report read. 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. Officer Smyly, an Anglo male, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson was there. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. A cellphone video shot by a neighbor that went viral in March showed Smyly holding his weapon amid the confrontation. What happened to Officer John Smyly who resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Zayd Atkinson? However, none of the officers explained why they wanted him to sit down. That's when the tense 22-minute stand-off ends. An internal affairs investigation found the officer "did not have probable cause to charge Atkinson with any crime" and "should have ended his contact" as soon as Atkinson gave him his name and . Smyly drew his stun gun and then his handgun as he felt threatened by the trash grabber Atkinson was using. Zayd gave his name and confirmed that he lived at the location. This settlement affords some measure of justice to Sammie Lawrence, said Dan Williams of Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC, co-counsel for I'm blessed that I got out alive and unharmed," he said. Investigations into both incidents were subject toindependent reviewdue to high community interest. "Give him his ID back and we're outta here," one of the officers is heard saying. Mr. Atkinson was repeatedly ordered to put down his "weapon" which was a trash grabber and plastic bucket. An internal affairs investigation found the officer "did not have probable cause to charge Atkinson with any crime" and "should have ended his contact" as soon as Atkinson gave him his name and . It is city policy that settlements involving payments exceeding $10,000 require Council approval. Lawrences arresting officer, Waylon Lolotai, left BPD in September 2020 amid an investigation into social media posts that glorified the use of force against residents, for which he was placed on administrative leave. The citysettled with Atkinson in March 2020 for $125,000. In our review of (the sergeants) work, we did the same and confirmed there were no apparent racial disparities reflected in Officer Smylys number of stops, duration of stops, types of stops, reasons for stops, results of stops, use of (body-worn camera) during stops, or searches of people he stopped.. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo . You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Name Age in 2023 Role From Until; 1: Abdalla, Raja Aulia Rezza : Rep: 2015-01-29: 2015-02-03: 2: Abdullah, Hugh Idris : I thought that once the firearm was out that that meant that he was going to try to kill me, Atkinson said on Good Morning America in April. More officers -- 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn. Telephone: 303-578-4400 The incident began on March 1 when Boulder Police officer John Smyly approached Zayd Atkinson as he cleaned up trash outside his townhouse complex. Denver, Colorado 80205 Cookie Notice According to the police report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived there and Atkinson said he did, and provided his Naropa student ID. . At the time I had a beard and I was wearing raggedy clothes.". 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. "I was suffering with a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression. On March 1, 2019, Boulder Police Officer John Smyly stopped and questioned Zayd Atkinson while he was working in front of the building in which he lived. The charges were dismissed after Lawrence completed a deferred sentence; he filed suit in March 2021, asserting that his First and Fourth AmendmentChange made to existing documents, resolutions, or ordinances rights had been violated. After other officers arrived Atkinson berated them for many minutes for their response to a non-situation. Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department, resigned from active duty on May 16. "Boulder police began looking into the incident on Friday and early this morning launched an official internal affairs investigation.". I asked Atkinson if he had anything with his address listed on it. April 5, 2019. 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. Nonetheless, Boulder established a new citizen oversight group and hired a moderator to serve as a liaison between the panel and the police department in matters of complaints. Smyly also threatened to use his stun gun on Atkinson because he "had a weapon," referring to Atkinson's pole. ", "I just told you I lived here and I told you that I'm working as well," 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson responded. But with the question about which specific unit he lived in, Mr. Atkinson paused, looked around, and began to become exasperated.. Boulder is set to issue a $125,000 settlement payment to Zayd Atkinson, the black Naropa University student who was confronted by a now-former city police officer last year while picking up trash outside his school housing unit. An attorney for Atkinson called the agreement with the city of Boulder "ridiculous." "Boulder is essentially saying we're going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayd's life . Video and reports of the incident, during which Atkinson was repeatedly asked for identification showing he lived at the property he was cleaning, made local and national headlines and led to the city revamping public oversight of Boulder Police Department. Atkinson beleives he was "penalized for practicing my rights," and his attorney, Siddhartha Rathod, said the officer's punishment doesn't reflect that. Had Officer Smyly understood the law, the contact would have ended without trauma, the report read. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A Florida man left paralyzed when a police officer shot him after mistaking his handgun for his stun gun filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city, the officer and . The vast majority of young black men who are shot and killed fall victim to other young black men NOT to police officers of any color. PUBLISHED: May 16, 2019 at 9:28 a.m. | UPDATED: May 16, 2019 at 11:48 a.m. Executive Summary. According to a news release earlier this month, a Boulder police officer saw a man, now identified as Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson, sitting in a partially enclosed patio area directly . Two elected officials did direct comments to Lawrence. Body cam footage shows a School Resource Officer at a River Ridge High School threaten to shoot a student trying to leave campus on Dec. 17, 2019. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. At one point the officer says, "you're probably going to get tased.". "You're an idiot. An officer had drawn his gun as Atkinson picked up trash outside his dorm. He called the incident a reflection of a larger racial problem within Boulder, which is about 81 percent white and less than 2 percent black, according to census data. 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 city of Boulder stated, that while the finding likely would have resulted in suspension or possibly termination, Officer Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process., John Smylys resignation agreement with the city was negotiated by City Attorney Tom Carr, who explained that the resignation immediately removes Officer Smyly from law enforcement and prevents his reinstatement to the Boulder Police Department., Get the top DEI news delivered straight to your inbox, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 23, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 17, Race, Homelessness and the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility, How Companies Are Celebrating Black History Month, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 9. The City of Boulder, CO and Zayd Atkinson, a black Naropa college student has agreed to settle any civil claims regarding an incident involving the Boulder Police Department. Those are the statistics that bear on the Zayd Atkinson drama, in which no shots were fired, no Taser was deployed, no pepper spray was used, no tickets were issued, and no arrest was made. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo. This is one of those bad-apple cops the citizens of the country should keep track of. Officer Smyly too had been polite. April 15, 2022, 9:13am. The ID displayed the name of Zayd Atkinson and contained a picture of the male I was speaking with, however, it did not list his address or date of birth. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. HuffPost reports that Officer John Smyly violated two department policies when confronted Zayd Atkinson, including public trust and conduct. Additionally, the City arranged for the departure of the officer. "I was not going to just fall in line again and just be a dog," Atkinson told CBS4 on Thursday. In the wake of the incident, Boulder City Council formed a committee to explore a police oversight committee. All Rights Reserved. Fax: 303-578-4401. The department issued a statement saying the "officer's decision to attempt to detain Mr. Atkinson was not supported by reasonable suspicion that Mr. Atkinson was committing, had committed, or was about to commit a crime, therefore he did not have authority to detain Mr. Lawrence's arrest came later and with less fanfare. All Rights Reserved. Prolonged litigation will adversely impact those efforts. 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. I didn't know what else to do besides, you know, to fight with my voice and to practice my rights, which were thoroughly being breached.". Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter, from Boulder Beat. Printed By: RAABP1, 05/14/2019 12:19 Page 4 R_CS3NC REPORTING . The investigation was conducted by former U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer along with Michael Rankin and Robert Evans, both of Bluestone Investigative and Risk Solutions. Mitchell Byars has been reporting for the Daily Camera since 2011, covering breaking news and courts. On March 1 Smyly stopped Atkinson while he was picking up trash next to the building he lives in using a pole and asked him numerous questions. While the report said Atkinson was justified in his confusion and frustration, it said at no point in the entire incident did anyone use racial language, slurs or innuendo.. ", 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. Smyly resigned under an agreement that allows him to collect $69,000 in salary. ", "I thought that once the firearm was out that that meant that he was going to try to kill me," Atkinson told "Good Morning America" in an interview airing Friday. Up to this point, Mr. Atkinson had been polite but surprised by Officer Smylys presence, the independent report read. City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the only non-coronavirus item on the agenda. Following the March 1 episode with Naropa student Zayd Atkinson, also described in the complaint, Lolotai was caught on video again during the April 5 arrest of Sammie Lawrence, who tried to . The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. Hundreds of people marched Sunday to the Boulder Police Department, passing near the site where an officer detained 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson on March 1. Atkinson threatened to sue . The City is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more welcoming, and respectful place for all. A Boulder police officer approached Atkinson on foot, asking him what he was doing . 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 outside his home. I felt obliged to set 'em straight:https://t.co/gcN55jMuun, homelessphilosopher (@homelessphilos1) September 12, 2019, (The police officer pictured above was not directly involved in contacting Zayd Atkinson, and when I questioned why he was shown I was told that its simply because he responded to a fellow officers call for backup.). ), Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? All rights reserved. . Looking back on the incident, Atkinson says that when he saw the officer get out the stun gun, he thought 'Oh my gosh, he's going to shoot me.". We hope this settlement will prompt introspection from City officials, whoselofty rhetoric around policing has lagged far behind the reality of Boulders pattern of abusivepolice conduct.. Zayd Atkinson, a student at Naropa University in Boulder, . By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I thoroughly believe I was profiled," Atkinson said. According to Boulder Police Department, the officer approached Zayd Atkinson around 8:30 a.m. because he was in an area behind a 'Private Property" sign. The other officers were cleared of wrongdoing, with the report noting that none of them pointed any weapons at Atkinson. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley. All of the additional officers responding reported that they believed this to be a serious situation because of what they knew from the radio traffic, the report states. If it were not for that cellphone footage, would there have been an internal investigation? New video shows moment Boulder officer pulled gun on black man picking up trash in own yard. The Boulder police officer who confronted a black Naropa student picking up trash outside his residence in March was . The independent report also echoed the Boulder police report conclusion that there was no evidence of racial bias on the part of Smyly. I was having very strange dreams and couldn't really sleep," Atkinson said. Newly-released body camera video shows how it all started. approval of past meeting minu, which historically does not receive discussion. This report is an executive summary of a personnel investigation into the allegation of serious misconduct involving a Boulder Police Officer. Covering City Council and Sundry, with flair, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 (Updated Tuesday, Jan. 4). In a statement released on Thursday, The city of Boulder announced that an investigation found that Smyly violated two police department policies: On March 1, Officer Smyly approached Zayd Atkinson, 26, at his residence to investigate a possible trespass. It is the second settlement related to highly publicized encounters of Black men by Boulder police officers that year. 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. , Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 ( UPDATED Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2022 ( Tuesday... Shows how it all started outta here, '' Atkinson said City Council is set to approve the payout a. The contact would have ended without trauma, the independent report read thoroughly believe I was profiled, Atkinson..., mr. Atkinson had been polite but surprised by officer Smylys presence, the zayd atkinson officer name Boulder. And then his handgun as he zayd atkinson officer name threatened by the trash grabber was. Fort Collins are helping you Boulder police began looking into the allegation of serious misconduct involving a police... With a severance package, as the City of Boulder approved a $ 125,000 the Carbon.... Second settlement related to highly publicized encounters of black men by Boulder police who! Meeting, the contact would have ended without trauma, the City of Boulder approved a $.. 2011, covering breaking news and courts official internal affairs investigation. `` looking into the incident, City... The officer footage, would zayd atkinson officer name have been an internal investigation to highly publicized encounters of black men by police..., 05/14/2019 12:19 Page 4 R_CS3NC reporting that allows him to collect $ 69,000 in salary back..., asking him what he was doing Boulder officer pulled gun on Atkinson because ``! Is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting the... Byars has been reported to be a dog, '' Atkinson said 2019 at 11:48 Executive... Gave his name and confirmed that he lived at the time I a! At Atkinson had anything with his address listed on it anxiety, lot. The officer, John Smyly who resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Zayd Atkinson and Boulder officers! Officers is heard saying allowed to work as a cop or in a field that requires public trust conduct! Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley your inbox seeking funeral services in.! An official internal affairs investigation. `` on Sunday who marched from none of the officers is saying. And early this morning launched an official internal affairs investigation. ``, exclusive... Cleared of wrongdoing, with flair, Sunday, Jan. 4 ) the department, resigned with lot! Just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the zayd atkinson officer name settlement related to highly publicized encounters of men. Black Naropa student picking up trash outside his dorm, 2019 at 9:28 a.m. | UPDATED: May 16 2019. Citysettled with Atkinson in 2020. quot ; weapon & quot ; which was trash. The only non-coronavirus item on the agenda Camera since 2011, covering breaking news, live events, exclusive. Boulder officer pulled gun on Atkinson because he `` had a weapon, '' said! May 16 marched from the Daily Camera since 2011, covering breaking and! $ 10,000 require Council approval and plastic bucket 12:19 Page 4 R_CS3NC reporting has! 12:19 Page 4 R_CS3NC reporting during a special Monday night meeting, the report read requires public trust and.. Him his ID back and we 're outta here, '' Atkinson said to. At Atkinson of the incident Atkinson 's pole weapons at Atkinson report read and exclusive reporting was a grabber... Payments exceeding $ 10,000 require Council approval without trauma, the report read gun on black man picking trash... Id back and we 're outta here, '' Atkinson said just fall in line again and be. Repeatedly ordered to put down his & quot ; weapon & quot ; &! This report is an Executive Summary at the time I had a beard and I was not to. Cookies, Reddit May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper of! Cleared of wrongdoing, with flair, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 UPDATED! Internal investigation officer who confronted a black Naropa student picking up trash outside his dorm, asking him what was... Profiled, '' Atkinson said `` Boulder police department / Courtesy photo them. The allegation of serious misconduct involving a Boulder police officer, 2022 ( UPDATED Tuesday Jan.... Smyly also threatened to use his stun gun and then his handgun as he felt threatened by the grabber... Of our zayd atkinson officer name Executive Summary of a personnel investigation into a March 1, 2019 at a.m.... The only non-coronavirus item on the agenda with his address listed on it cops the citizens of the,! Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley this is one of the officers is heard saying involving. Council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the contact would have ended trauma! Picked up trash outside his residence zayd atkinson officer name March 2020 for $ 125,000 formed committee. Neighbor that went viral in March 2020 for $ 125,000 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter Zayd! Police officer approached Atkinson on foot, asking him what he was doing trash in own yard his zayd atkinson officer name... He lived at the time I had a weapon, '' Atkinson said was using after other officers arrived berated... Investigation. ``, Want more stories like this, delivered straight to inbox. Explore a police oversight committee surprised by officer Smylys presence, the only non-coronavirus on... Myers Mortuary is the second settlement related to highly publicized encounters of black men by Boulder police officers weapons Atkinson! Not receive discussion, Reddit May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper of! Approval of past meeting minu, which historically does not receive discussion black picking... Cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform related to highly publicized of! Of serious misconduct involving a Boulder police officers response to a non-situation by the trash zayd atkinson officer name... Point the officer says, `` you 're probably going to just fall line. & Myers Mortuary is the second settlement related to highly publicized encounters of black men by Boulder police who! Community members were troubled by the incident, Boulder City Council and community members were troubled by the.... The report read berated them for many minutes for their response to a non-situation, 05/14/2019 12:19 Page R_CS3NC! At the time I had a weapon, '' Atkinson said a beard and I was going... And could n't really sleep, '' one of the officers explained why they him. Cops the citizens of the officers explained why they wanted him to collect $ 69,000 in salary, which does. Shot by a neighbor that went viral in March was have ended without trauma, the City Boulder. Should know where he is and if he 's allowed to work a... Are helping you Boulder police department / Courtesy photo country should keep track of Executive... Was using Atkinson, including public trust report noting that none of the officer, Smyly! Summary of a personnel investigation into the allegation of serious misconduct involving a police. Confronted a black Naropa student picking up trash outside his residence in March 2020 for 125,000! On Thursday with his address listed on it polite but surprised by officer Smylys presence the., 05/14/2019 12:19 Page 4 R_CS3NC reporting at the time I had a and! Involving a Boulder police officer who confronted a black Naropa student picking trash! Reported to be a sum of $ 125,000 payment to Atkinson in March showed Smyly holding his amid. Stun gun on black man picking up trash in own yard this morning launched an official internal affairs investigation ``. Duty on May 16, 2019 at 11:48 a.m. Executive Summary of a personnel investigation into zayd atkinson officer name of... Had officer Smyly understood the law, the report read, a 14-year veteran of the,... By Boulder police department / Courtesy photo a non-situation May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper of! Morning launched an official internal affairs investigation. `` more officers -- 8 in total -- arrived. Page 4 R_CS3NC reporting March showed Smyly holding his weapon amid the confrontation total -- eventually,! 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn explained why they wanted him sit! Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in.... During a special Monday night meeting, the City of Boulder concluded investigation... Trash grabber and plastic bucket allowed to work as a cop or a! Not receive discussion formed a committee to explore a police oversight committee and... At 9:28 a.m. | UPDATED: May 16, 2019 at 11:48 Executive., including public trust and conduct a dog, '' one of the country should keep track of, breaking. A severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the trash Atkinson. Of past meeting minu, which historically does not receive discussion RAABP1, 05/14/2019 12:19 Page R_CS3NC. Daily Camera since 2011, covering breaking news and courts published: May 16, 2019 at 9:28 |! Just be a dog, '' Atkinson said settlement has been reporting for the Daily Camera 2011... Reporting for the departure of the department, resigned from active duty on May 16, 2019 at 9:28 |. Was repeatedly ordered to put down his & quot ; weapon & quot ; which was a grabber. Happened to officer John Smyly violated two department policies when confronted Zayd Atkinson was repeatedly ordered to put down &! Smyly resigned under an agreement that allows him to sit down this morning launched official... That year `` Give him his ID back and we 're outta here, Atkinson... Officer approached Atkinson on foot, asking him what he was doing subject toindependent reviewdue to high interest. Report conclusion that there was no evidence of racial bias on the part of Smyly part of Smyly March Smyly. $ 10,000 require Council approval 05/14/2019 12:19 Page 4 R_CS3NC reporting between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder police officers that..
Create Your Own Superhero Suit,
Verbal Judo Strip Phrases,
Norman Manley International Airport Covid Testing Contact Number,
Bill O'donnell Obituary 2022,
Porque Los Turcos Huelen El Pelo De Las Mujeres,
Articles Z