All Rights Reserved. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune). When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. 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. They also asked Pelle to extend an invitation to Smyly from the NAACP to participate in a healing justice model, modeled after the restorative justice process used in the criminal justice system. Watch Body Camera Video March 1, 2019 https://t.co/8NnfbXgMXX, Rae Ellen Bichell (@raelnb) May 16, 2019. As part of a settlement with the city, Smyly remained under city employment until February as he exhausted accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. 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 Naropa University student who was . According to the report, Atkinson raised his voice and Smyly felt threatened by the trash grabber and drew his stun gun. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. 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. The term position John fills is in an unsworn, civilian position, and is not in a public-facing role, Wagner wrote in an email to the Camera. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. 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. We would immediately lose our jobs.. (Facebook . "How do you feel, officer? Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. Finally, police confirm his story by asking someone else if he does, in fact, live there. It's like Live PD, except actually live, and without the \"cops can do no wrong\" bias.music in this videoLove Is Blind (Instrumental Version) - Coma Svenssonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u78BBpHcz44Wasted Education - Blue Topazhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqmKzeeDj54 Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. Venus, the moon, Mars, and Jupiter are all visible in the eastern sky above Lake Michigan before sunrise June 23, 2022, in Chicago. One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. Atkinson later reached a settlement with the city. Heres what it all means. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez declares victory over political machine, Billionaires son emerges as winner, set on addressing crime and development, Embattled Ald. Ultimately, I approved the hire. At this point, Smyly called in for a cover car and told Atkinson he was obstructing a police officer and was detaining him and investigating him for trespass. Read more here. 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. Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the. Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. 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. "I'm just checking to make sure that you have a right to be here, that's all. The Boulder Chapter of the NAACP, which emailed the Camera about the hire, decried Smylys hiring in a statement. John is not enjoying, agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government. Smyly decided to approach Atkinson on foot, and saw that he was using a long metal claw to pick up trash and put it in a bucket. 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. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. As part of the settlement agreement between Smyly and the City of Boulder his file "will document separation from employment due to resignation.". Jim Gardiner is top vote-getter, likely headed to runoff with Megan Mathias, which mayoral candidate received the most votes in your ward, Oak Lawn officer pleads not guilty in violent arrest captured on video, allegedly struck teen more than 10 times, Woman, 55, fatally wounded Tuesday night in North Austin neighborhood, Man fatally injured when SUV falls on him near Gages Lake, Pizzeria Uno sells frozen pizza division to Romeoville-based Great Kitchens. Ex-Boulder Officer John Smyly was found in violation of department policy. 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. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Some understood the past controversy in his role as a city police officer, so they brought this decision to some of our executive staff members, including myself, for discussion. Tracking the Chicago Blackhawks moves before the NHL trade deadline. Listen now. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. The settlement allowed the city to provide the community information more quickly, and it transitioned Officer Smyly out of a law enforcement career.. The City of Boulder released a statement Thursday saying, "while the finding likely would have resulted in suspension or possibly termination, Officer Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process. Our staff spoke to John Smyly yesterday concerning the controversy over his temporary position here. Whats next after moving on from Patrick Kane? 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.. He has agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government. (Tribune photo by Nancy Stone). Simon and Sally Glass say findings vindicate their belief that their son was murdered by Clear Creek County sheriff's deputies. Former officer John Smyly will continue to have an unblemished history with the Boulder Police Department. ", "I just told you I lived here and I told you that I'm working as well," 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson responded. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. ", 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 committed, or was about to commit a crime. LOVELAND, Colo., Feb. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Meyer Natural Foods, a leading provider of natural and organic proteins, announces the appointment of John Keating as the company's new Chief . 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. The Moving can be an exciting experience. The footage shows Smyly investigating Atkinson for trespassing. 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. He should have slept longer.. Boulder officials did not immediately return a request for how much Smyly would be paid during his time on leave. Since Live PD and Cops was cancelled, James Freeman does LIVE STREAMING COP WATCHES. 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. 9191 46 Comments 15 Shares Share John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. Read more here. When Mr. Atkinson walked away, continuing to pick up trash, the subject officer believed he had probable cause to charge Mr. Atkinson for obstructing a police officer. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). Not for the "stupid price" of $150 an acre foot. The iconic deep dish chain is focusing on expanding its franchise restaurants. 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. According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived there. Read more here. At one point the officer says, "you're probably going to get tased.". "Shouldn't that be enough for you?". Boulder County Sheriffs Division Chief Mike Wagner said the job is a civilian position helping with the offices records and jail management computer systems replacement project. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race. Pelle added the decision was very difficult because Smyly didnt violate any policies and has been a very productive, pleasant employee. Smyly will leave as soon as possible, once the projects hes working on are complete, with a departure deadline of the end of the year, according to Pelle. Obviously, I still have things to learn. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, a black man confronted by a Boulder police officer. Officer John Smyly (Photo: Boulder Police Department) When our staff interviewed the candidates for this term position, Smyly was the best qualified applicant. My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. After about eight minutes, more officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson. Under a settlement with the city, Smyly will remain on Boulder's payroll until February 2020. John Smyly Current Workplace. 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.. Located across the street from one another on Ohio Street in downtown Chicago, Pizzeria Uno and Due are owned by Uno Restaurant Holdings Corp., which announced it is selling its frozen pizza division to focus on expanding the restaurant franchise. We w, This was very difficult because John has not violated any policies here and has been a very productive. YouTube file photo He has agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government.. 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. Boulder Valley School District. Adler Planetarium says theyll be visible tonight, Grab a magic wand for potions class: Wizard-themed bar The Cauldron opens soon in Wicker Park, Column: Creed III is right on time, say stars Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors, Greek transport minister resigns after head-on train crash kills dozens, Eli Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap, Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming tragic story, 10-1! 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. Atkinson said he did, and Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. Stop!. Opinion: Colorado farms going fallow? Newly-released body camera video shows how it all started. "My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled," he . We failed to consider the sentiment, or trigger that it might cause for people of color. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. 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