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. The incident occurred on March 1, 2019. Boulder Beat. He shared that he slept on the decision, but he clearly didnt think about how it would land with the community or those few diverse members of his staff. 2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. As part of his cushy deal he will be paid for accrued floating holiday leave, sick leave, and be permitted administrative leave until Feb. 9. Around 8:20 a.m., he saw Zayd Atkinson, 26, of Boulder outside a building. Black college student Zyad Atkinson, and hundreds of thousands who have seen the video, say otherwise. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Cops don't know shit. Mr Atkinson says in a video taken by a neighbour. A video has surfaced of the entire incident unfolding: Officer Smyly did end up resigning before an investigation into the incident concluded. They want this guy teaching others anything is absurd. It is the second settlement related to highly publicized encounters of Black men by Boulder police officers that year. He then begins commands for the student to sit down on the pavement as he calls for backup. Atkinson later reached a settlement with the city. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process likely would have resulted in suspension or termination. In response, NAACP leaders wrote that theyre glad Smyly will be leaving the position, as well as saying they appreciated the acknowledgement that Pelle failed to consider the impact the hiring decision might have had on people of color. If you do great and Ill be on my way. I guess they want sued again . The first responsibility of the city is not to provide closure to its citizens, but rather to ensure the credible conduct of those in government service. Offers may be subject to change without notice. What kind of message is that. Smyly, a 14-year vet with no history of. John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. When did this change? He will, however, remain an employee through February . City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinson's race. I didnt do anything wrong. I sure as hell want to make sure I keep this video fresh for years to come. [Read more: Trump turns White House blue], WATCH LIVE: Alex Murdaugh trial closing arguments getting underway today, Tom Rogan, National Security Writer & Online Editor, US intelligence community has proven it can't investigate Havana Syndrome, it should let UK and Australia try, Turns out Chicago voters are racist and sexist against weak, abrasive, crappy mayors, Congress told of likely Chinese spy balloon threat as early as 2019, TikTok restricts teenager screen time as it faces threat of national ban, Lightfoot is out: Chicago mayor out four years after breaking onto scene as rising star, Republicans could force Bidens first veto with fights over ESG and DC crime law, Protesters thrown out of House China committee's first prime-time hearing. Atkinson has shown his Narapo University identification card. Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinsons attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. Gangs attack, use force & threats of, surround & intimidate, & act above the law because they are the law which is batshit crazy thinking. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. At least one weapon was drawn. The police officer who pulled a gun on a man picking up trash outside his own home in Boulder, Colorado, has resigned, city officials said Thursday. John Smyly. A settlement is the best option for the city in the face of legal action, staff wrote in notes to city council. 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. Smyly tells Atkinson, who is black, that he couldnt help but notice you just sitting on the patio behind this building there are signs for no trespassing. Atkinson says, I live here. Smyly says, Yeah I wasnt sure what you were doing if you live here or you work here it looks like youre working.. Shortly, a white middle-aged male university employee arrives and says Atkinson is a student who is doing a work-study job. Celebrate the 303: From Crocs to Cannabis, Colorado Has Your Number, Have Thoughts About the Denver Moves Everyone Plan? 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. A human being who is not out to get control of another for the sheer pleasure of control would have REASONABLY stopped the interaction upon getting the school identification and offer to beep in the residence door. 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. 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. Officer Smyly drew his gun and called in backup during the confrontation in March. Another drew his handgun when he arrived, but reholstered the weapon shortly after. Obviously, I still have things to learn.. Put it down., Youre gonna shoot me? 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.. Powered by. 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. Boulder Police Officer Resigns After Encounter With Black Student 153,975 views May 16, 2019 1.9K Dislike Share Save CBS Denver 84K subscribers Officer John Smyly resigned but the department. Smyly told dispatchers Atkinson was failing to comply and had a blunt metal object, which resulted in eight officers and a sergeant responding to the scene. According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived in the building, which was Naropa student housing. See Photos. local news and culture, Michael Roberts 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 . 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. According to a summary of the investigation released by Boulder police, Officer John Smyly was conducting extra patrols on March 1, 2019, in the area of Folsom Street and Arapahoe Avenue when. Atkinson continues to pick up trash as Smyly appears to be escalating the interaction by following him around the dorm building demanding an ID with the address printed on it. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Is that an "Oops?" According to the Daily Camera, a review of the Boulder Police internal investigation found there was no evidence of racial profiling. but it can also be stressful. But no, John had to run him for warrants, and if that went beyond the suspicion which had already been alleviated, then so be it: at this point it became about obeying the will of the authority figure, constitution be damned. one of them was holding a rifle which an investigative summary said fires bean bags, according to the AP. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. Since this cop thinks that was an acceptable way to behave, a group of ARMED citizens should walk onto this cops property one morning and demand to know if he has a right to be there. 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. He lived in the dorm and was directly outside the building picking up the litter when he was approached by then-Boulder Police officer John Smyly. DeSantis won't say he's running. Ive got to verify it so that I know you do in fact live. Atkinson becomes incredulous. Atkinson, who . And Smyly says thats the first time he gave him his unit (room) number. Smylys resignation took effect on Wednesday, as part of the settlement with the city. I live here! However, they are crucial to any rooms look and feel. Mitchell Byars has been reporting for the Daily Camera since 2011, covering breaking news and courts. Officer Waylon Lolotai as seen in a March video shared by ZFG Videography, which was associated with a, Become a member to support the independent voice of Denver 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. Shay Castle, boulderbeatnews@gmail.com, @shayshinecastle. This news doesnt write itself. Here are some ways you can help. See . and help keep the future of Westword, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. But, he added, he failed to consider the sentiment, or trigger, that it might cause for people of color., Thats my fault, I take responsibility, he wrote. He claims weve had some stuff going on in the area. Colorado police confront man picking up trash on his lawn. John Smyly. Are you kidding me?, Smyly presses on. 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. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. Put it down!. 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." Email: ExerciseOurFreedom@gmail.com. this student is a hero. He is originally from Hawaii and enjoys the beach, camping, golf, beer and writing third-person bios about himself that exaggerate how outdoorsy he is. Aftermanyotherofficersarrived,Icontinuedtobedetaineduntilawhitefemalestudent,andawhiteemployeeoftheuniversityaffirmedwhatmyIDhadalreadyshown:Ibelongedthere. Should of been given the Boot and jailed. Atkinson was sitting in a partially enclosed. I'll keep saying this, all officers like this should be made to take out public liability insurance so the taxpayer no longer has to bail these morons out just so they can go and abuse rights again and again. Im picking up garage on my fuc*ing property. 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. Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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 Smyly is resigning but will "exhaust" his paid leave. As part of the settlement agreement between Smyly and the City of Boulder his file "will . It doesn't really matter because it,s normalized now, i guess this way they get to SLAM knees into your back and kidneys! " Atkinson said he lived there. Atkinson repeats her lives in the dorm and is working, but Smyly persists. 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. This cop as all of them become cops out of fear and are arrested in development at the age of their childhood trauma that was never dealt with. Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. All Rights Reserved. Boulder Police Officer John Smyly was one of several cops who confronted student Zayd Atkinson as he gathered garbage in his yard on March 1. Boulder police said it could not support a claim of racial profiling in the encounter, but Smyly was found to have violated two department policies. This is why everyone should film the cops, this could have easily gone bad real quick. A screen capture of Officer Waylon Lolotai shoving Kelly Clark. You guys dont have a goddamn right to be doing this to me. See Photos. We know you don't bring a trash grabber to a gun fight; and we know John would be more than happy to use his firearm to defend himself from the deadly implement. But John is smart, and he uses his intelligence to further his white man's volition. The statement did not release any terms of the settlement. Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat. Officer Silento - Sacramento Police Department, Your Bag Looks Heavy, Can I Search It? local news and culture. Smyly was allowed to resign, and is likely working for another department at this time. Atkinson was maintaining the property outside the dorm as part of his work-study job. Zayd Atkinson, a. 23:00 " trying to damage something ". Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Learn more about: Cookie Policy, 2022 ExerciseOurFreedom.com . Smyly was on paid administrative leave since then and then just before the conclusion of the disciplinary process, the Denver Post reported. Youre gonna shoot a resident on his property for picking up trash?. 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. Smyly accused Atkinson of obstructing an officer, a jailable offense. Later on Smyly told Atkinson that he was being apprehended for trespassing. I go to school here. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) 1 of 2. 9.". Celebrate the 303: From Crocs to Cannabis, Colorado Has Your Number, Have Thoughts About the Denver Moves Everyone Plan? Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. Things got tense when Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth, which Atkinson refused to provide. 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." police officer who initiated contact with a Black man. Role Resigned Director Date of birth March 1958 Appointed on 22 May 2017 Resigned on 10 March 2020 . "Put that down," Smyly said on the tape. Officer John Smyly resigned following the March 1 confrontation with Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson, who was picking up trash outside his home. Atkinson, a student at Naropa University, was picking up trash outside his residence. Its like Live PD, except actually live, and without the cops can do no wrong bias. How do feel now? Comply with commands for the sake of commands. sit boy,sit". " And receive officer smyly lawsuit offers direct to Your inbox put that down, & quot ; said! 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