The man he tried to bully and intimidate, Zayde Atkinson, NEVER gave in. 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 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 and youre holding a gun!After about eight minutes, more Boulder police officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson.One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. 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., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. %PDF-1.6 % 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]. May 16, 2019 / 5:17 PM / CBS Colorado. 2 Followers, 0 Following, 1 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from John Smyly (@reformed_cop) Despite the documentarys bleak outlook, the filmmakers remain optimistic, due in large part to the positive reception of the film so far. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. 0 Im not tryi. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. IE 11 is not supported. A big reason why I got into film and video is because of the storytelling aspect, said Miller. 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. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. On Thursday, the city announced the conclusion of an internal investigation, saying it found Smyly violated two department policies could not substantiate claims of racial bias. We do urge caution as this video could trigger some. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. Smyly reportedly asked Atkinson if he was permitted to be at the location. Details of the payment amount were included in the City Council agenda packet released Thursday evening ahead of its . 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. 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. Thats what youre gonna do officer? Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role on May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. 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. 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. 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Officer John Smyly resigned Wednesday ahead of a planned administrative hearing into his confrontation involving Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson in March, CBS Denver reported. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinson's race. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. 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. BOULDER, Colo. One of the Boulder police officers who confronted a black man as he was picking up trash in his yard has been found to be in violation of department policies and has resigned . We would immediately lose our jobs.. "If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. 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. But none of those officers, including Smyly, pointed their weapons at Atkinson, the report found. TwoFeather. 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. Investigators also determined that a person overheard on the footage telling Atkinson that he was likely racially profiled was a Naropa employee and not one of the responding officers. 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. A video showing part of the scene went viral on the Internet, sparking outrage in the progressive Colorado city. We have concluded this hire was not helpful to our equity work, and I wish . Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. 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. 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. D.L. And then you see if it can help galvanize dialogue and maybe some positive action., Photos stills fromThis Is Not Who We Are, Coloradan Magazine Atkinson also told ABC Newss Good Morning America in April that hes been struggling with stress and trauma since the encounter. On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a gun! Maybe he got a suspicious call or saw something but things escalated. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. We do not know the motive of the officer on why he approached this black man. Stop!. By Ben Kesslen. When demonstrators took to the . "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. Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun!. The findings likely would have resulted in suspension or possible termination, according to the department. Facebook gives people the power to share. The confrontation between Smyly and Atkinsonsparked massive backlash in the community. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. [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. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. The Boulder County Sheriff complaint line - 303-441-1759 Embattled NC sheriff resigns again before DA details accusations against him in court. 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. 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. Mr Smyly attempted to detain Mr Atkinson . 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 HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. A white Colorado police officer caught on video pulling a gun on a black man who was picking up trash outside his home has resigned, officials said Thursday. Youre on my property with a gun in your hand, threatening to shoot me because Im picking up trash, Atkinson said. What Smyly did should have incurred harsher charges but here we are. Atkinson provided his school ID, which did not have an address and then offered to let himself into the building as proof. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. Millers video didnt make it out of the classroom (though her peers did give her a standing ovation), but Miller never forgot the pride and passion she felt drawing attention to injustice. May 16, 2019, 9:54 PM. 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. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. We would immediately lose our jobs.. We would immediately lose our jobs.". Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney said. This is a clamp.. City Attorney Tom Carr said firing Smyly would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. 17, 2019 at 1:00 PM PDT. Im picking up trash! Atkinson's attorney, Denver-based civil rights attorney Siddhartha Rathod, said that Boulder was using taxpayer dollars to reward Smyly for racially profiling his client and putting Atkinson in fear for his life. Police body camera footage released Thursday provided a full video account of . Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. "If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. 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 to the newspaper. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. The Boulder City Council has also created a task force to study police oversight. Supervised 25 different police officer trainees, evaluating job performance and developing training plans to encourage professional growth and improve deficiencies. Its hard to believe now, but there was a time when there was no Google in Boulder. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March 2019. The former Boulder police officer who resigned after pointing a gun at a Black Naropa student has taken a temporary civilian position with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. 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. Department rule 8 (Conduct): Members use reasonable judgment and refrain from conduct which reflects unfavorably on the department. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) 1202 University Avenue, 459 UCB Smyly resigned on May 15, before the conclusion of the disciplinary process. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to . Boulder police launch an internal investigation after a video surfaces showing officers confronting an African American man picking up trash in Boulder, Colorado. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Officer quits after pulling gun on black college student picking up trash outside dorm. The city on Thursday announced the settlement but did not include the terms in a news release. A police officer in Colorado has resigned after confronting a black student picking up rubbish outside his shared accommodation. Smyly is a 14-year department veteran was found in violation of two department policies. 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. 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. A police officer in Colorado has resigned after confronting a black student picking up rubbish outside his shared accommodation. If you have information about the department Smyly is working for now, please email the information to realjamesfreeman@gmail.com, so I can publish it, warning potential new victims of his presence. But an independent review of the confrontation found no impropriety in the procedures . The body camera videos, the police reports and dispatch tapes related to the incident are available at https://t.co/Luru5y5XJk pic.twitter.com/1vquVsUp7u. Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the buildings rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there.After Atkinson said he did, Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. After Atkinson said he did, Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned . John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. 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.Body camera footage released Thursday provided a full video account of the tense encounter, which gained national attention based on video shot by someone inside the building. 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. Atkinson, who is black and said after the incident that he felt he was racially profiled, showed Smyly, who is white, his student identification card, but the officer said he needed needed further proof. He resigned before a disciplinary process commenced. The city said that an investigation did not find evidence of racial profiling. Colorado police confront man picking up trash on his lawn. 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