Under a settlement with the city, Smyly will remain on Boulders payroll until February 2020. City officials say this is the best option because the police department's collective bargaining agreement triggers a disciplinary appeal process, which they say would likely overturn Smyly's firing. 9.". By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Atkinsons attorney, Siddharta Rathod, criticized the departments move in continuing to pay Smyly and allowing him to resign. Officer John Smyly resigned following the March 1 confrontation with Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson, who was picking up trash outside his home. This news doesnt write itself. Atkinson points to it and reads it to the officer. Video of the incident from Smyly's body camera shows him. He is likely employed at a different police department at this time. At least one weapon was drawn. The exchange between Officer Smyly and Mr. Atkinson does not represent the professionalism of the Boulder Police Department nor the community Boulder desires to be, city attorney Tom Carr said. He will, however, remain an employee through February . Zayd Atkinson, a. You cant do anything. Im not doing anything illegal and youre not gonna fuc*ing tase me, sir? Atkinson threatened to sue the city after several officers surrounded him on March 1, 2019, demanding that he put down the bucket and tool he was using to collect litter. Then, Smyly demands to know what Atkinsons date of birth is. Article content. City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the only non-coronavirus item on the agenda. Smyly was allowed to resign, and is likely working for another department at this time. Role Resigned Director Date of birth March 1958 Appointed on 22 May 2017 Resigned on 10 March 2020 . Atkinson said he lived there. Mr. Atkinson received a settlement of $125,000. 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. 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. What are you doing, officer? Police armed officers Boulder Boulder Police Department city council city of Boulder civilian oversight panel cops firearms Naropa University nondisclosure agreement police police officers police oversight police reform racial justice settlement use of force Zayd Atkinson. It is in fact an addiction out of fear based behavior and the need to control their environment around them. Atkinson says he lives in room 304. The accused is the victim. What, on a public sidewalk? "The city of Boulder is paying this officer nearly $80,000 [71,500] for violating the constitutional rights of Zayd," he said. Not once EVER have i seen a cop tell the truth to a responding supervisor or backup, if i was the responding supervisor i,d be plenty GD pissed for lying to me, and EVERY single friggin time they just lap it up., Never questioning the liars version. According to the report, Atkinson raised his voice and Smyly felt threatened by the trash grabber and drew his stun gun and then drew his handgun. As part of a settlement with the city, Smyly remained under city employment until February as he exhausted accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. On March 1, 2019, Atkinson, a student at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, was outside his dormitory picking up trash using a bucket and the device most commonly used to pick up trash found outdoors, known as a reacher grabber, a roughly 32-inch-long lightweight handled-pole with a claw at the bottom to retrieve debris. Boulder officials conducted an investigation of . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The officer then could be easily notified he is the only criminal on the scene. A settlement is the best option for the city in the face of legal action, staff wrote in notes to city council. Zayd Atkinson, who is a student at Naropa University. What's he waiting for? 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. 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." Since Live PD and Cops was cancelled, James Freeman does LIVE STREAMING COP WATCHES. Spoiler: A just-released report backed up an internal affairs police investigation that found there was no racial profiling involved in this incident. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. 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.. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. "Just wondering if you have a right to be here." All rights reserved. Denver's independent source of Smyly kept his weapon out until Atkinson put down the clamp. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, The Associated Press reports he will earn benefits and a salary during this time, The officer "did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson", the department wrote in their report, US police accused of beating black officer, Bank calls police over black man's cheque, Mr Atkinson told local broadcaster CBS4 Denver, The student's lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, told local newspaper the Denver Post that he was disappointed Mr Smyly had not been fired, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35. The situation continued to escalate as Smyly drew his stun gun, following Atkinson to the back of the building telling him to sit down and put down his weapon (aka the clamp). Im picking up trash! I hope these officers hear his voice on repeat every time they fuck up. I go to school here. Your email address will not be published. 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. As the AP reports, the city decided to reach an agreement with Smyly in which the officer "resigned his police role on May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. A screen capture of Officer Waylon Lolotai shoving Kelly Clark. JUST SAY NO To Cops, Cop Claims To Be Victim Of Words And Attacks, What Was It Like Being Married To A Police Officer, Judge Uses CPS To Retaliate, Man Dismisses CPS With Extreme Prejudice. Police officer John Smyly resigned for threatening black college student Zyad Atkinson, who was picking up trash outside his dorm. Police told the paper the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. The deal being hed remain under city employment until February 2020 as he exhausts accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. That has been reported to be in the neighborhood of $70,000. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. He is the new face of racism, not too distant from the affable demeanor of David Duke. or. However, 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. We need MORE CONSEQUENCES!! ID Refusal by Boulder Colorado man, Zayde Atkinson results in threats and officer John Smyly brandishing a fire arm. The city's 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 . 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. Love Is Blind (Instrumental Version) Coma Svensson Youre not gonna arrest me. 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. Regardless of the fact that it is a civilian job, there are probably minorities in the office setting and now they know they tolerate a racist ex-cop! I didnt do anything wrong. On March 1, 2019, black student Zayd Atkinson was confronted by Officer John Smyly while picking up litter outside his residence in Boulder, Colorado. independent local journalism in Denver. Atkinson continues to say hes astonished by the officers actions. Log In. The facts here are simple: Smyly had a responsibility to leave Atkinson alone shortly after he first made contact. John Smyly. 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.. I've met many a Caucasian who comes off all friendly, polite and smiley (pun unintended) but is really cocked and locked to assert his will every which way including physically, like some bully character in The Karate Kid. Aftermanyotherofficersarrived,Icontinuedtobedetaineduntilawhitefemalestudent,andawhiteemployeeoftheuniversityaffirmedwhatmyIDhadalreadyshown:Ibelongedthere. October 6, 2020 Implementation work is ongoing. This SOB lies to his fellow officers about this student, pure definition of a Racist. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, 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, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? Smyly asked for identification with the address on it and Atkinson readily provided his school ID, which did not have the address and then offered to let himself into the building. All of those cops should spend 20 years in jail. Im not doing anything wrong. Put it down!. Here, the PSU sergeant and command staff did not succumb to it., During the 16-minute standoff, multiple officers politely and calmly asked Mr. Atkinson to drop the trash grabber and sit down so they could talk, the report read. Later in the video, that employee can be heard telling Atkinson that he had indeed been racially profiled but suggests they deal with that later and for the time being, de-escalate the situation themselves. John Smyly. Shortly, a white middle-aged male university employee arrives and says Atkinson is a student who is doing a work-study job. Here are some ways you can help. Things got tense when Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth, which Atkinson refused to provide. As the news station notes, Smyly would have likely been suspended or fired over the violation of department policies, but was able to resign before the disciplinary process concluded. See Photos. .. Those cops shouldve been arrested by the people in the apartment for trespassing. Served as the training and curriculum development lead for the implementation of a $6M Records Management System for the Boulder County Sheriff's . We have been engaged in race equity training and discussions and are committed to continuing those efforts and working with county staff on whatever tools might help us in those efforts. On March 1, 2019, back when few mainstream politicians used the term "systemic racism" while discussing law enforcement aimed at people of color, Boulder Police officer John Smyly starred in a. The officer, John Smyly, was identified Thursday as the 14-year department veteran seen in a 16-minute video posted to YouTube after confronting Zayd Atkinson outside a Naropa University dorm. The city manager supports the proposed settlement., Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? After noticing a "Private Property" sign near where the man was sitting, Smyly asked if he lived there. This is a clamp!" Body cam footage shows Sammie Lawrence, standing, filming a police encounter. More tax payers money going out the window . Anything else is just bullshit. They want this guy teaching others anything is absurd. Former Boulder police officer John Smyly Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process likely would have resulted in suspension or. A white Colorado police officer who pulled out his gun during a confrontation with a black man picking up trash has resigned under an agreement that lets him collect $69,000 in salary despite violating department policies Is on the property where he lives as a student and is working to clean up the garbage around the building. Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat. Youre going to shoot me?, The cop says to Atkinson, referring to the litter tool, your hand is on your weapon are you going to shoot me a push gonna do if you use that weapon against me then yes that is a consideration. He says he wants to figure this out with Atkinson. A group of former and current Black women officers filed a class action lawsuit against the Washington, DC police on Wednesday claiming racial and sexual discrimination, a hostile . Given the projected costs of litigation, the city attorney believes that it is unlikely that the city will be in a significantly better economic position by litigating the case as compared to accepting the settlement offer. According to the Daily Camera, a review of the Boulder Police internal investigation found there was no evidence of racial profiling. Previous post: Coronavirus in Boulder County: No confirmed cases; officials urge calm, caution, Next post: Coronavirus in Boulder County: Officials urge public not to panic just stay away from other people, It is not possible to predict the outcome of a trial, the notes read, a standard caution that accompanies every large settlement that comes before council. Ive seen this .. blatent harassment . Officer Smyly drew his gun and called in backup during the confrontation in March. John Smyly lost his police job. Atkinson was sitting in a partially enclosed. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. Denver's independent source of Covering City Council and Sundry, with flair, Friday, March 13, 2020 (Updated Monday, March 16). Under a settlement with the department, Mr Smyly will stay on the city payroll until February 2020. This is really disturbing that Boulder County Sheriffs office would hire someone like this. According to KDVR, the officer, John Smyly was found to have violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, but said that there was no evidence to support the. The city of Boulder, Colorado has reached a settlement with one of its police officers over racial profiling accusations. Capitol police officers who were attacked and beaten during the insurrection at the US Congress on 6 January by extremist supporters of Donald Trump filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the former . Full Link in Description! Boulder Police Officer John Smyly quit the police force after an investigation found he violated department policy when he drew his gun and attempted to detain 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson in March, according to officials and a police department internal affairs report. Shay Castle, boulderbeatnews@gmail.com, @shayshinecastle. "If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted. Press J to jump to the feed. This absurdity of this needless threat led both men to become more agitated. This is ridiculous, bro, Atkinson says. Former officer John Smyly will continue to have an unblemished history with the Boulder Police Department. Given the projected costs of litigation, the city attorney believes that it is unlikely that the city will be in a significantly better economic position by litigating the case as compared to accepting the settlement offer. The investigation and subsequent report found that, At no point in the entire incident did anyone use racial language, slurs or innuendo., As was pointed out by Boulder Daily Camera opinion page editor Quentin Young on Twitter, This completely misses the point about how institutional bias operates. And the need to control their environment around them a review of the in! 1 confrontation with Naropa University the face of racism, not too distant from the affable demeanor of Duke! Middle-Aged male University employee arrives and says Atkinson is a student who is doing a job... Investigation that found there was no racial profiling involved in this incident, and likely! 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