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. On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a gun! We assure you it had an impact, they wrote. We can help you keep up. John is not enjoying the spotlight or controversy and understands it is necessary for him to leave. John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. We did not see any opportunity for harm, he wrote. We would immediately lose our jobs.. 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. "I'm just checking to make sure that you have a right to be here, that's all. John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. Patrick von Keyserling, communications director for the city, confirmed that the results of the internal investigation will not go into his file. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. 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. The subject officer did not have probable cause to charge Mr. Atkinson with any crime. 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. 10-1! 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. Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. 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? As part of a settlement with the city, Smyly remained under city employment until February as he exhausted accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. Atkinson said he did, but did not elaborate when Smyly asked him what unit he lived in. Obviously, I still have things to learn.. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to . You can read the full agreement below. 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. ", 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 Attorney Tom Carr said firing Smyly would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. The report indicated none of the officers, including Smyly, ever pointed a gun or stun gun at Atkinson. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. But an independent review of the confrontation found no impropriety in the procedures . The footage shows Smyly investigating Atkinson for trespassing. The officer was identified today as 40-year-old John Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department with no prior disciplinary action. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. Atkinson provided his school ID, which did not have an address and then offered to let himself into the building as proof. Its the day after Election Day. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Boulder Police Officer Resigns After Confronting Black Man Picking Up Trash, News That Matters, Delivered To Your Inbox. 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 . When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun!. Read more here. ", AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon, Extra Time: Breaking down massive NYC, NYPD settlement, Teammate facing charges in crash that killed local UGA player. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun!. 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. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. It takes a good days drive to cover Colorado, but well help you do it in a few minutes. Atkinson provided his school ID, which did not have an address and then offered to let himself into the building as proof. My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said. 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. TwoFeather. Boulder police said there is no evidence Atkinson was racially profiled. Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the. Newly-released. He has agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. Colorado mountain towns are exploring a lawsuit against the US Postal Service over poor service. Now that the two candidates have been determined . 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. We failed to consider the sentiment, or trigger that it might cause for people of color. CPR's Joella Baumann contributed to this report. 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. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. Gen Z Voices: Attending school on a tribal reservation, and outside of it, led Aidan Gover to discover the disparities in education. Video of the incident from Smyly's body camera shows him detaining . According to the Boulder County Sheriffs Office, Smyly was hired in January on a two-year term position as a civilian training and development coordinator in the sheriffs computer support unit. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. 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. The independent review, conducted by former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, Bob Troyer, will soon be released by the city. 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. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Mitchell Byars has been reporting for the Daily Camera since 2011, covering breaking news and courts. ", "I just told you I lived here and I told you that I'm working as well," 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson responded. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/breaking and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Oyeneyin was handcuffed and detained in his own home after police responded to a burglar alarm in process. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. But Carr did elaborate on the decision not to fire or suspend Smyly in the statement. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. John Smyly Current Workplace. 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. Im picking up trash! 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. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. 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. While we have no proof that racial bias was a motivating factor, the internal affairs investigation resulted in sustained violations of police 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. Read more here. Police shooting verdict sparks protest in California: in pictures Show all 10 One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. Atkinson later reached a settlement with the city. Wake up to the day's most important news. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the Boulder Police Department had no prior disciplinary action, it was. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. Recordings emerged of Greene referring to deputies in his department as "Black bastards" and "snakes.". Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. 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. The report concluded Smyly violated department policy during the encounter with Atkinson. Shortly before 8:30 a.m. on that day, Officer John Smyly spotted Atkinson sitting in a partially enclosed patio area directly behind a "Private Property" sign and spoke to him to find out if. 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.. Atkinson later reached a settlement with the city. 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. 2023 Colorado Public Radio. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune). "Give him his ID back and we're outta here," one of the officers is heard saying. 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. 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. When Smyly asked for an address and date of birth, Atkinson walked away and began to pick up trash again. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Rescuers searched through the burned-out wreckage of two trains that slammed into each other in northern Greece. 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. Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. Thats what youre gonna do, officer? 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. 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. Now that the two candidates have been determined for the runoff election for Chicago mayor, more of the aldermanic races are becoming clearer. Boulder police said there is no evidence Atkinson was racially profiled. When Mr. Atkinson walked away, continuing to pick up trash, the subject officer believed he had probable cause to charge Mr. Atkinson for obstructing a police officer. Adler Planetarium says theyll be visible tonight, Grab a magic wand for potions class: Wizard-themed bar The Cauldron opens soon in Wicker Park, Column: Creed III is right on time, say stars Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors, Greek transport minister resigns after head-on train crash kills dozens, Eli Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap, Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming tragic story, 10-1! The officer, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. Not for the "stupid price" of $150 an acre foot. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. 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. 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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John is not enjoying the spotlight or controversy and understands it is necessary for him to leave. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. We have concluded this hire was not helpful to our equity work, and I wish to inform you of the resolution to the issue. 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.. . 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. 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. 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. While it found Smyly violated department policy, the report indicated there was not enough evidence to support racial bias being a factor. 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. Newly-released body camera video shows how it all started. How do you feel?" Embattled NC sheriff resigns again before DA details accusations against him in court. 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. At about 8:20 a.m., Smyly was in his patrol car when he saw Atkinson "from a distance" at 2333 Arapahoe Ave. "manipulating an unknown object in his left hand." Smyly drove closer and observed. You want to know what is really going on these days, especially in Colorado. Wagner said the office did not have any comment about Smylys history with Boulder police because the job isnt as an officer/deputy or in any way related to police officer/law enforcement duties., 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.. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. Our newsletters bring you a closer look at the stories that affect you and the music that inspires you. 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. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. Boulder officials did not immediately return a request for how much Smyly would be paid during his time on leave. Old post, but he moved to Longmont, CO and became a rent a cop, according to his LinkedIn.Funny he changed his display name to John S., but didn't change the URL from his full name. One of the other officers arrived with a handgun drawn but holstered it, while another had a stun gun drawn. 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. Heres what it all means. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. Listen now. The Boulder Chapter of the NAACP, which emailed the Camera about the hire, decried Smylys hiring in a statement. 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. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. 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. He will leave as soon as possible, and we placed a written deadline on departure by the end of the year. Feds sue Fort Collins water company for a Grand River Ditch rupture that damaged Rocky Mountain National Park in 2017, Boulder County took a month or longer to notify inmates that the jail had exposed their Social Security numbers. Sign up here and we will see you in the morning! At about 8:20 a.m., Smyly was in his patrol car when he saw Atkinson from a distance at 2333 Arapahoe Ave. manipulating an unknown object in his left hand. Smyly drove closer and observed Atkinson for a minute and saw him seated on a bench in a patio area that had a sign that said private property.. 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. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. This was, We failed to consider the sentiment, or tr, equity training and discussions and are committed to, and working with county staff on whatever tools might help us in those, Evolving Doors Dance Moving Through: Bodies, Music, Images, Experience, Boulder County Neighbors Come Together to Support Former Lyons Resident After Racist Facebook Comments Spark Tension | Press Release, SF1 Birthday Bash at Ophelias Electric Soapbox, square product theatre presents return of Greg Woheads Celebration, Florida, Colorado county buys controversial phone-hacking tech using money meant to treat, prevent drug addiction, Impacted Residents Petition Continuous Air Quality Monitoring | Open Letter to the Erie Board of Trustees, On holding Bidens feet to the fire, disproportionate policing, and white supremacists: the Colorado Capitol on Inauguration Day 2021, Impeach Trump Car Parade and Rally: January 10th | Kenneth Wajda Photos, Former sheriffssergeant arrested for using excessive force | Press Release, NAACP Boulder County Letter to Boulder City Council on Police Accountability and Housing for Homeless during the Pandemic. 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. 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. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. abcnews.go.com Police officer who pulled gun on black man picking up trash quits force Ex-Boulder Officer John Smyly was found in violation of department policy. Stupid price '' of $ 150 an acre foot Thats a gun! 14-year of! Prior to the conclusion of the your devices Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to him. Action, it was when he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him leave. Another had a stun gun drawn decision not to fire or suspend Smyly in the most convenient location Boulder! Choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder, Colo., detained him in.... 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Are seeking funeral services in Boulder where is officer john smyly now and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID that... Refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation in. Soon as possible, and youre gon na shoot me, Atkinson walked away and to. Atkinson said he had not done anything wrong tool and walked away identified! 26, said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors with. And sign up to get our alerts on all your devices should have been fired immediately Atkinson that he being! Confronting Black man picking up trash, news that Matters, Delivered your! Sheriff Resigns again before DA details accusations against him in March, 2019 #!