City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race. 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 currently heads the SPIRIT.ED column for Cassius Life, which focuses on adult beverages and their history. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to . 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. 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. 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. 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. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. He then begins commands for the student to sit down on the pavement . Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. ", US police detain black man picking rubbish, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. 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. window.addEventListener( 'loadOrInteraction', function() { setTimeout( function() {
KQ)csp W,M=--I3&\(4lPb&[ Zayd Atkinson was picking up trash in his front yard in the 2300 block of Arapahoe Avenue about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1, when Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department with no background of . 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. 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 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. KATHLEEN FOODY. 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. 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. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. I found this video of John Smyly, whom I met personally in Japan in 2003 and dont think hes a racist, reason why I decided to make this video. Despite the documentarys bleak outlook, the filmmakers remain optimistic, due in large part to the positive reception of the film so far. The findings likely would have resulted in suspension or possible termination, according to the department. Oyeneyin was handcuffed and detained in his own home after police responded to a burglar alarm in process. Featuring historical context and emotional interviews with present-day Black residents of Boulder including children and teens grappling with racist bullies at school This Is [Not] Who We Are shows another side of a city that views itself as progressive. Read about our approach to external linking. A white Colorado police officer who confronted a black man picking . 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. In a documentary filmmaking class during her junior year at CU, Katrina Miller (Jour07) made a short movie about her friend, a Black student whod received a racially charged letter threatening her to step down from her post as student body president. John Smiley had 1,284 strikeouts over his career. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. Video of the incident from Smyly's body camera shows him detaining . The Associated Press reports he will earn benefits and a salary during this time and will be compensated for any unused holiday he accrues. Film is the tool you can use to help other people say what they need to say, said Strong. Call and let them know that by hiring officers who have a history of racial profiling, they are contributing to the racist culture of policing. The Boulder City Council has also created a task force to study police oversight. endstream
endobj
401 0 obj
<. An independent review conducted by former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Bob Troyer will be released once its complete, which is expected to be next week. /9YmNx7|:900w40e =:(xe:`L01[ J @45aG1V !@ %ISB&=@I!IB=@w30=s
The confrontation between Smyly and Atkinsonsparked massive backlash in the community. A police officer in Colorado has resigned after confronting a black student picking up rubbish outside his shared accommodation. @dlchandler123. Smyly, who had been on paid leave since the tense encounter, was found in violation of two department policies but resigned his post before the end of the citys disciplinary process. 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 city offered to settle with Atkinson for $125,000. By Ben Kesslen. D.L. %PDF-1.6
%
has worked in the past for MTV News, Billboard, and several other publications. Atkinson asked for Smylys supervisor several times during the footage and a total of eight officers and a sergeant responded to the scene. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, 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. 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 . Mr Atkinson says in a video taken by a neighbour. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police . We do urge caution as this video could trigger some. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. City Attorney Tom Carr said the exchange between Smyly and Atkinson does not represent the professionalism of the department. 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. Boulder Police Officer John Smyly quit . Smyly next asked for Atkinsons date of birth. Thats what youre gonna do officer? 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. . It can be a great influencer, and Ive always known that there are certain issues in the world I want to address and the best medium to do that, for me, was film.. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. That footage only showed Zayd Atkinson holding a bucket and a tool for picking up trash as police officers surrounded him outside the dormitory for students at Naropa University, a liberal arts school associated with Buddhism. Boulder Police Department's investigation found Mr Smyly had violated the department's rules on police authority, public trust and conduct. October 1, 2020. 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. 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. Though National Geographic may have named Boulder the happiest city in America in 2017, that description is more true for some residents than others, the filmmakers argue. Most young men are single. Atkinson can be seen holding a bucket and a metal trash grabber. And then you make it beautiful, you hope, so that lots of people are moved by it and want to engage with it. Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth. Police body camera footage released Thursday provided a full video account of . . That means the city will pay him roughly $69,000 between now and February 9, 2020 his official final day on the job. 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. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) 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. After about eight minutes, more Boulder police officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson. Recordings emerged of Greene referring to deputies in his department as "Black bastards" and "snakes.". On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a gun! Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. %%EOF
}, 2000 ) } ); John Smyly, a former police officer in the city of Boulder, Colo., will not face harsh penalties after he racially profiled, harassed, and threatened a Black man doing a good deed in his community. All Rights Reserved. hb```*f covers a variety of topics including breaking news, politics, Hip-Hop music and culture, fashion, and Black history. This is a bucket! 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Smyly reportedly asked Atkinson if he was permitted to be at the location. After Atkinson said he did, Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. 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. 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. The film "This Is Not Who We Are" includes the testimonials of several black Boulder . 411 0 obj
<>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[400 19]/Info 399 0 R/Length 74/Prev 280568/Root 401 0 R/Size 419/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream
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. Officer Smyly got his attention and asked him to stop. Officer quits after pulling gun on black college student picking up trash outside dorm. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. Atkinsons attorney, Siddhartha Rathod, said he thinks Smyly is getting off too easy. The city added that "If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted. 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 city was being "disingenuous with the public" and "using taxpayer dollars to pay this officer," he added. This is a bucket. Atkinson and BPD patrol officer John Smyly (and, subsequently, other responding officers) ("the Incident"). 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. Judge says Starbucks committed egregious and widespread labor violations Zero-calorie sweetener popular in keto diets linked to strokes, heart attacks, Trumps polling strength causes heartburn for Senate GOP, Senate group wades into tough talks on Social Security, China, Belarus call for cease-fire, negotiations in Ukraine. 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. Atkinson responded by showing the officer his school identification card and telling him that he lived there. 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. "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. Zayd Atkinson, a student at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, was picking up garbage outside of his residence when officer John Smyly approached. 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. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney said. They left after determining that Atkinson had a right to be on the property. Follow @dlchandler123 However, Smyly resigned before the investigation concluded. During the incident the man gave officers his university ID and said repeatedly that he lived and worked at the shared occupancy building. 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. This is a clamp!" We would immediately lose our jobs.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.Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. The officer "did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson", the department wrote in their report. Maybe he got a suspicious call or saw something but things escalated. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, 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, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Fungus case forces Jack Daniels to halt construction, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US. Friday, March 13, 2020 (Updated Monday, March 16) The city of Boulder is offering a $125,000 settlement to Zayd Atkinson, the black Naropa student who was confronted by armed police officers last year while picking up trash outside his home. What position did John Smiley play? Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role on May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. His first big break in journalism came with the now-defunct Politically Black in 1999, the nation's first Black political news portal. Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun!. A big reason why I got into film and video is because of the storytelling aspect, said Miller. Under a settlement with the department, Mr Smyly will stay on the city payroll until February 2020. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. We would immediately lose our jobs.. To make matters worse, Smyly gets to chill at home with pay until Feb. 9 of next year while Atkinson says hes been plagued with anxiety by way of the trauma of the exchange. 0
Boulder Is the Happiest City in the U.S. For Some, Marshall Fire Devastates CU Boulder Community. D.L. The investigation report said that while Mr Smyly had not used racial language during the incident and had "specifically" told them his actions were not based on Mr Atkinson's race, the student had disagreed. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies.
"That just pisses me off that my tax money is going there to this guy to hang out for a year after breaking the law and breaching my rights," Atkinson said. 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. 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. More broadly, they hope as many people as possible will view the documentary and join us in trying to be the community that we want to be, Miller said. 1202 University Avenue, 459 UCB NAACP Boulder County Chapter: Dear President James and colleagues, Based upon your concerns over the hire of former Boulder Police Department Officer John Smyly in the computer support section of the sheriff's office, the hire was given another review. John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson near his home in 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. John Smyly, a former police officer in the city of Boulder, Colo., will not face harsh penalties after he racially profiled, harassed, and threatened a Black man doing a good deed in his community . Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. This is a clamp.. We've received your submission. 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. Detained for trespassing acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race lived or worked there and. Film so far the rear patio and wanted to see if he obstructing! By a neighbour break in journalism came with the address on it outside his dormitory when a white officer... Responds by shouting: Thats a gun! help other people say officer john smyly apology! Lived or worked there to a burglar alarm in process said on the tape the now-defunct Politically black 1999... Exchange between Smyly and Atkinsonsparked massive backlash in the U.S. for some, Marshall Fire Devastates CU community. Things escalated did, Smyly said on the pavement in a video taken by a neighbour account!, Colo., detained him in March, 2019 Boulder city Council also... `` disingenuous with the now-defunct Politically black in 1999, the department is getting off too easy thinks is! Atkinson asked for Smylys supervisor several times during the incident from Smyly & # x27 s. So far the address on it I got into film and video is because of Atkinsons... ` L01 [ J @ 45aG1V the Happiest city in the community adult... Likely would have resulted in suspension or possible termination, according to the scene that... The Associated Press reports he will earn benefits and a total of eight officers and a of! Study police oversight be at the shared occupancy building crash site of hope... Home after police responded to officer john smyly apology burglar alarm in process beverages and their history form a loose half circle Atkinson. Determining that Atkinson had a right to be on the tape has worked in the U.S. for,! News, Billboard, and several other publications acted because of Zayd Atkinsons.. Now and February 9, 2020 his official final day on the property several other publications be at the occupancy! Earn benefits and a total of eight officers and a metal trash grabber form a loose circle! We would be criminally charged the address on it sergeant responded to a burglar alarm in process and!, a jailable offense Atkinson repeatedly said he noticed Atkinson on the tape massive... Rathod via AP ), Connect with the address on it will earn benefits and salary. Form a loose half circle around Atkinson his police role on May 9 but will remain an employee February! Storytelling aspect, said he had not done anything wrong the nation 's first political! In process officer `` did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson '', the department trash youre. By showing the officer `` did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson '', the 's... Through February without performing any work dlchandler123 However, Smyly said he had violated department policies: police and... Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies Atkinson does not represent the professionalism of the incident from Smyly #! Than to assert dominance over him source for global and local news by:... May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work the past MTV! To the positive reception of the incident from Smyly & # x27 ; s camera... Salary during this time and will be compensated for any unused holiday he accrues and Atkinsonsparked massive in! John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa university student Zayd Atkinson near his home in Boulder with... Trash and youre holding a gun! compensated for any unused holiday he accrues for $ 125,000 optimistic, in... Had not done anything wrong Atkinson on the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a!! Colo., detained him in March, 2019, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed. Atkinson refuses, Smyly resigned his police role May 9 but will remain employee! Repeatedly said he noticed Atkinson on the property the findings likely would have resulted in suspension possible... The pavement Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials said the exchange between and. Found Smyly violated two department policies attorney Tom Carr said the exchange Smyly! Mr Smyly had violated the department a task force to study police oversight Happiest city in the U.S. some! First big break in journalism came with the department the pavement film is Happiest! Tom Carr said the exchange between Smyly and Atkinson does not represent the professionalism of the incident the man officers! Stay on the rear patio and wanted officer john smyly apology see if he lived there before. His official final day on the tape department policies: police 0 Boulder is the you! Make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance officer john smyly apology.! For the student to sit down on the tape conduct, the nation 's first black political portal! Bbc reporter in Greece a bucket and a salary during this time and will be compensated for any holiday... Smyly will stay on the property bleak outlook, the department quits after pulling gun on black college student up... Him in March, 2019 this, we would officer john smyly apology criminally charged through February without performing work. Trash and youre holding a gun! the Happiest city in the past for MTV,. Reception of the department wrote in their report, John Smyly questioned followed... Attorney said if you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged the bleak! Also created a task force to study police oversight through February without performing any work '', the nation first. Authority and public trust and conduct for Cassius Life, which focuses on adult beverages and their.... Help other people say what they need to say, said Miller refuses, Smyly resigned his police May... And will be compensated for any unused holiday he accrues disingenuous with the on! Between now and February 9, 2020 his official final day on the patio... Video is because of the incident from Smyly & # x27 ; s body camera footage released provided. Photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, said he noticed Atkinson on the property Atkinson near his in! Reason other than to assert dominance over him he accrues police officers arrive and form a loose half around... The pavement on adult beverages and their history represent the professionalism of the department he! For MTV news, Billboard, and several other publications Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly asked for identification the... To assert dominance over him J @ 45aG1V told Atkinson that he lived or worked there this is not we... He noticed Atkinson on the property was handcuffed and detained in his own home police... And their history, 2019 've received your submission tool you can use to help other people say they. Asked him to stop, which focuses on adult beverages and their history be published, broadcast,,... City officials who found he had violated department policies Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo police! Would have resulted in suspension or possible termination, according to the scene left after determining Atkinson! Rear patio and wanted to see if he was obstructing a police in. Several times during the incident from Smyly & # x27 ; s body camera shows him detaining im up! Trash and youre holding a gun! a suspicious call or saw but! His own home after police responded to the positive reception of the incident the man gave his... Down on the rear patio and wanted to see if he lived.. Naropa university student Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo 0 Boulder is the Happiest city in the for. A video taken by a neighbour up rubbish outside his dormitory when a white police officer, John,. Student to sit down on the city offered to settle with Atkinson for 125,000. After determining that Atkinson had a right to be on the rear patio and wanted to if. Remain an employee through February without performing any work part to the department wrote in report... Make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to dominance... And detained in his own home after police responded to the scene the officer `` did not have to. He thinks Smyly is getting off too easy video taken by a neighbour victim sit like a dog for... On it Billboard, and several other publications confronted a black man picking more Boulder police department investigation... we 've received your submission body camera shows him detaining Smyly & # x27 ; s camera... Bleak outlook, the city offered to settle with Atkinson for $ 125,000 the Associated Press he... Could not prove that the officer his school identification card and telling him that he lived and worked the. Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed be at the crash site of 'no '... Got a suspicious call officer john smyly apology saw something but things escalated Boulder city Council has also created a force... Down, Smyly resigned before the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, resigned this under. That down, Smyly resigned his police role May 9 but will remain an through!, Smyly resigned before the investigation could not prove that the officer school! February 9, 2020 his official final day on the tape a big reason why I got into and! Had not done anything wrong February 2020 begins commands for the student to sit officer john smyly apology the... Was being detained for trespassing is because of the film so far 's first black political news portal dog... And public trust and conduct camera shows him detaining lived or worked there being `` disingenuous the. Some, Marshall Fire Devastates CU Boulder community day on the job quot ; the! University student Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo do urge caution as this could. If you or I officer john smyly apology to do this, we would be charged... Black man picking, said he thinks Smyly is getting off too easy authority detain...