Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. has worked in the past for MTV News, Billboard, and several other publications. Everyone really needs to open their eyes to all the truths of their community so we can fix it.. Join Facebook to connect with John Smyly and others you may know. The film centers on a recent incident that made headlines around the world: In March 2019, Boulder police officer John Smyly confronted and, ultimately, pointed his gun at Zayd Atkinson, a Black man and a student at Naropa University who was picking up trash outside of his dorm as part of his work-study job. Its a facilitation. Initially freelancing at iOne Digital in 2010, he officially joined the iOne team in 2017 where he currently works as a Senior Editor for Cassius Life and Hip-Hop Wired. 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.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.Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. "The city of Boulder is paying this officer nearly $80,000 [71,500] for violating the constitutional rights of Zayd," he said. The city of Boulder said in a statement Thursday that officer John Smyly violated multiple department policies when he confronted Zayd Atkinson, 26, in March. View the profiles of people named John Smyly. 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. We do not know the motive of the officer on why he approached this black man. The city of Bouldersaid in a statement Thursday that officer John Smyly violated multiple department policies when heconfrontedZayd Atkinson, 26, in March. John Smyly was found in violation of department policies and resigned in May 2019 after an internal investigation into Smyly's encounter with Zayd Atkinson in Boulder on March 1, 2019. Read about our approach to external linking. Im not tryi. hb```*f 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 phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smy. More officers -- 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn. Youre gonna shoot a resident on his property for picking up trash?, Smyly drew his gun when the two men reached the back of the building, an investigative summary said. "I don't have a weapon. Stop!. Atkinson also told ABC Newss Good Morning America in April that hes been struggling with stress and trauma since the encounter. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. 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. City Attorney Tom Carr said firing Smyly would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned . Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there. Smyly was conducting extra patrols due to recent crime in the area when he encountered Atkinson with an unknown object in his left hand, according to a summary of the probe released by Boulder police Chief Greg Testa. Smyly reportedly asked Atkinson if he was permitted to be at the location. A Colorado police officer, John Smyly resigned after an incident he had with a local resident where he approached this black man who was picking up trash around the residency he lived at. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. Mr Smyly called for backup because Mr Atkinson was "unwilling to put down a blunt object". 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. 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. Atkinson asked for Smylys supervisor several times during the footage and a total of eight officers and a sergeant responded to the scene. Mr. Atkinson turned, took out his ear buds, and asked what was going on. In a statement released on Thursday, The city of Boulder announced that an investigation found that Smyly violated two police department policies: [The positive reaction] makes me want to work even harder toward fixing these problems, and Im feeling that same sense of energy and responsibility from audiences, said Miller. Famous Women Caught With Busted Up Feet [Photos], LL Cool J Explains The Meaning Of Pink Cookies In A Plastic Bag On Drink Champs, Toxic Avengers: Blueface Leaks Alleged Texts From Lil Baby To Chrisean Rock, 15 Music Stars Who Had Disturbing Relationships With Their Entourages [Photos], Twitter Reacts To Will Smith Joking About Chris Rock Slap In New Tik Tok Video, Brandon Smiley Laid To Rest Over The Weekend, Rickey Smiley Shares Photos & Videos, BET Uncut Is Not Coming Back; Here's Its 15 Wildest Videos Anyway, Finger Struggle: Celebrities With Crazy Looking Hands [Photos]. The Boulder County Sheriff complaint line - 303-441-1759 document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. A Colorado police officer who detained a black man picking up trash in his yard is resigning after being found in violation of department policies. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) 1 of 2. Most young women are not. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. Published: May. "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. Stop!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 drew his Taser 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. The confrontation between Smyly and Atkinsonsparked massive backlash in the community. Officer John Smyly. Smyly . Thats what youre gonna do officer? WEST POINT, N.Y. Army head coach Jeff Monken is giving a history lesson. 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. 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. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned . He is not allowed to be reinstated to the Boulder Police Department. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. 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. Details of the payment amount were included in the City Council agenda packet released Thursday evening ahead of its . 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. 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. Im picking up trash! The independent review, conducted by former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, Bob Troyer, will soon be released by the city. We would immediately lose our jobs.. He resigned before a disciplinary process commenced. 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 phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. "If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. When demonstrators took to the . Recordings emerged of Greene referring to deputies in his department as "Black bastards" and "snakes.". 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 he . Video shows Smyly approaching Atkinson in a partially enclosed patio area behind a private property sign, prompting the officer to ask if the man had a right to be there. 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. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. 418 0 obj <>stream Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. Check out footage of the exchange between Smyly and Atkinson. Miller, along with Beret Strong (Engl83) and John Tweedy (Engl82), are sparking important conversations about race and inclusion with their film This Is [Not] Who We Are, which explores the disconnect between Boulder's self-proclaimed commitment to diversity and Black residents lived experiences. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race. "Boulder is paying this officer nearly $80,000 in taxpayer money, giving him a year's paid vacation for what he did," Rathod said, adding that if any other citizen had done what Smyly did, they would be fired from their job and charged criminally. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Youre on my property with a gun in your hand, threatening to shoot me because Im picking up trash, the man said to the officer. But none of those officers, including Smyly, pointed their weapons at Atkinson, the report found. Boulder Police Department's investigation found Mr Smyly had violated the department's rules on police authority, public trust and conduct. 0 They left after determining that Atkinson had a right to be on the property. Im picking up trash! 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. 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. 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. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. Youre probably going to get tased in a second, because you have a weapon, Smyly told Atkinson before brandishing his handgun. The man he tried to bully and intimidate, Zayde Atkinson, NEVER gave in. What Smyly did should have incurred harsher charges but here we are. 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. Atkinson responded by showing the officer his school identification card and telling him that he lived there. On March 1 st, 2019, Officer John Smyly was conducting patrols when he saw Atkinson seated on a bench of the building that said "private property."Smyly approaches Atkinson as he sits on the bench to ask if he resides in the building. 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 report read. 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. Atkinsons attorney, meanwhile, said he was upset that Smyly is allowed to stay on the citys payroll for more than eight months. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. But the movie goes much deeper than this moment, exploring how Boulders earliest history made it nearly impossible for people of color to succeed in the idyllic city in the shadow of the Flatirons. The city on Thursday announced the settlement but did not include the terms in a news release. As Atkinson attempted to continue to pick up trash, Smyly told him, Youre probably going to get tased, and eventually pulled out his gun, claiming Atkinsons trash grabber could be used as a weapon. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in . When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to . Oyeneyin was handcuffed and detained in his own home after police responded to a burglar alarm in process. 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. The findings likely would have resulted in suspension or possible termination, according to the department. Atkinson echoed Rathod's remarks in an interview with Denver7. The film "This Is Not Who We Are" includes the testimonials of several black Boulder . 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 . Smyly attempted to detain Atkinson, a student at Naropa University in Boulder, asking him to prove he lived on the property. 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. 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. Drought, dry grass and gusting winds lead to wildfire. City officials said the investigation could not prove that Smyly acted because of Atkinsons race. 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. City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the only non . John Smyly was found in violation of department policies and resigned in May 2019 after an internal investigation into Smyly's encounter with Zayd Atkinson in Boulder on March 1, 2019. My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said. Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. covers a variety of topics including breaking news, politics, Hip-Hop music and culture, fashion, and Black history. Smyly next asked for Atkinsons date of birth. "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.". Read about our approach to external linking. John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa University student Zayd . His first big break in journalism came with the now-defunct Politically Black in 1999, the nation's first Black political news portal. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. Atkinson then raised his voice, causing the officer to become threatened by the trash grabber, according to the report. As part of his resignation agreement, Smyly will officially end his employment with Boulder on Feb. 9, 2020 after using his accrued floating holiday leave, sick and permitted administrative leave. Privacy Legal & Trademarks Campus Map. 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. 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 in Boulder on March 1, the Boulder Daily Camera reports. Boulder, CO 80309-0459, University of Colorado Boulder Regents of the University of Colorado One of the officers involved in the latter scenario, John Smyly, resigned from the BPD earlier this month. More from The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired, Your email will be shared with hiphopwired.com and subject to its, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Loses Reelection Bid, Larsa Pippen Shares She Hung Out With Her Beaus Dad Michael Jordan, Dreamville & Daily Paper Launch Dream Daily Collection. The city was being "disingenuous with the public" and "using taxpayer dollars to pay this officer," he added. Kazeem Oyeneyin answers the door at his home in Raleigh, N.C., on Aug. 17. Youre on my property with a gun in your hand, threatening to shoot me because Im picking up trash, Atkinson said. 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 in a statement. 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 . City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinson's race. Im picking up trash! The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. ABC News noted that other officers arrived on the scene soon after. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. 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. Boulder Is the Happiest City in the U.S. For Some, Marshall Fire Devastates CU Boulder Community. Now, the creators are fielding requests to screen the film in Boulder and beyond; theyre also creating accompanying study guides to help people understand and discuss the themes depicted in the film. Investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags home after police responded to officer john smyly apology! In journalism came with the public '' and `` using taxpayer dollars pay! Officers, including Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials said the investigation could not located... And telling him that he lived on the rear patio and wanted to see if he lived there when white. Watch live: white House monkeypox response team holds briefing, do not Sell or Share my Information... The incident in his resignation letter including breaking news, Billboard, and Black history Rathod via ). The city of Bouldersaid in a second, because you have a,... 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