He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. 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 collect $69,000 in salary despite violating department policies. When Smyly asked for an address and date of birth, Atkinson walked away and began to pick up trash again. 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. At about 8:20 a.m., Smyly was in his patrol car when he saw Atkinson "from a distance" at 2333 Arapahoe Ave. "manipulating an unknown object in his left hand." Smyly drove closer and observed. We have concluded this hire was not helpful to our equity work, and I wish to inform you of the resolution to the issue. 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. Sign up here and we will see you in the morning! 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 is originally from Hawaii and enjoys the beach, camping, golf, beer and writing third-person bios about himself that exaggerate how outdoorsy he is. "Give him his ID back and we're outta here," one of the officers is heard saying. Incumbent Daniel La Spata nears outright victory but may face Sam Royko in runoff, while Proco Joe Moreno falls short, Seat held by Ald. Officer John Smyly (Photo: Boulder Police Department) 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. 2023 Colorado Public Radio. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. 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According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson whether he lived in the building, which was Naropa student housing. My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said. Wake up to the day's most important news. The city on Thursday announced the settlement but did not include the terms in a news release. 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.. According to the report, Atkinson raised his voice and Smyly felt threatened by the trash grabber and drew his stun gun and then drew his handgun. ", "I just told you I lived here and I told you that I'm working as well," 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson responded. All Rights Reserved. On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a gun! Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. "Give him his ID back and we're outta here," one of the officers is heard saying. Atkinsons attorney did not respond to requests for comment. 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. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney said. CPR's Joella Baumann contributed to this report. Gen Z Voices: Attending school on a tribal reservation, and outside of it, led Aidan Gover to discover the disparities in education. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. . Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez declares victory over political machine, Billionaires son emerges as winner, set on addressing crime and development, Embattled Ald. He should have slept longer.. 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. 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.. Obviously, I still have things to learn. Officer John Smyly was among the Boulder Police Department members who rousted Naropa student Zayd Atkinson for picking up trash at his own home in March 2019. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. "I'm just checking to make sure that you have a right to be here, that's all. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. After about eight minutes, more officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson. 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. New video shows moment Boulder officer pulled gun on black man picking up trash in own yard. Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth. 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. Opening day might not be in play because of Suzuki's moderate left oblique strain, making the rest of the spring important for the organization to figure out its options if he can't go at the beginning of the season. According to the report, Atkinson raised his voice and Smyly felt threatened by the trash grabber and drew his stun gun. 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 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. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. When Smyly asked for an address and date of birth, Atkinson walked away and began to pick up trash again. Boulder police said there is no evidence Atkinson was racially profiled. It takes a good days drive to cover Colorado, but well help you do it in a few minutes. Letters: Proposed age limit for gun ownership in Colorado doesn't make sense, Skygazers will have a great view Wednesday of two planets that look like they are almost touching, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. 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. John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. Here's what else is happening today. Boulder Valley School District is part of the K-12 Schools industry, and located in Colorado, United States. Heres what it all means. The contact evolved into a stop and detainment that caused multiple officers to respond. As many as 700,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid health coverage this year, Cactus League report: Drew Smyly is working with a Cubs new catcher and the White Soxs opportunistic plan on the bases. Read more here. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. 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. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role on May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. We did not see any opportunity for harm. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. 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. Youre gonna shoot a resident on his property for picking up trash?, Zayd Atkinsons attorney, Siddhartha Rathod: "Boulder either lacks the ability or will to root out racism from this police department. https://t.co/hYSl9TRy3x, Blair Miller (@blairmiller) May 16, 2019, Smyly drew his gun when the two men reached the back of the building, an investigative summary said. 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. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race. abcnews.go.com Police officer who pulled gun on black man picking up trash quits force Ex-Boulder Officer John Smyly was found in violation of department policy. At one point the officer says, "you're probably going to get tased.". The NAACPs Boulder County chapter shared its concerns about Smylys hiring with Sheriff Joe Pelle, who sent a letter Oct. 1 to the chapter to share that his office determined his hiring was not helpful to our equity work., Our staff spoke to John Smyly yesterday concerning the controversy over his temporary position here, Pelle wrote. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. He has agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government.. One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. You want to know what is really going on these days, especially in Colorado. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to . Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there. 10-1! The job was publicly posted in 2019, Wagner said. The shooting was one of the deadliest . 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. The report concluded Smyly violated department policy during the encounter with Atkinson. 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." But Carr did elaborate on the decision not to fire or suspend Smyly in the statement. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney said. Debris of trains lie on the rail lines after a collision in Tempe, about 235 miles north of Athens, near Larissa, Greece, March 1, 2023. He will leave as soon as possible, When our staff interviewed the candidates for this term position, 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, discussion. A video of the incident was posted to social media, and in it Atkinson can be heard telling police he is on his own property and is just picking up trash. The subject officer did not have probable cause to charge Mr. Atkinson with any crime. Im picking up trash! The Lookout is a free, daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado. We would immediately lose our jobs.. This was very difficult because John has not violated any policies here and has been a very productive, pleasant employee. 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. By. Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth. As part of a settlement with the city, Smyly remained under city employment until February as he exhausted accrued holiday, sick and administrative leave. 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. This was a temporary, non-enforcement job with no public contact or representation. 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. 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. Recordings emerged of Greene referring to deputies in his department as "Black bastards" and "snakes.". Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth. According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson whether he lived in the building, which was Naropa student housing. 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 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. Newly-released body camera video shows how it all started. 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. Newly-released. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. 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. The incident has resulted in Boulder City Council forming a committee to explore a police oversight committee, while the incident is still under an independent review. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The officer, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the Boulder Police Department had no prior disciplinary action, it was. Smyly approached Atkinson on foot, and saw that he was using a long metal claw to pick up trash and put it in a bucket. 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 can be heard saying, You have a dangerous object in your hand and you are failing to put it down., When Atkinson points out you are holding a gun, while he has a trash grabber, Smyly says, I feel threatened because you are not putting it down., Atkinson at several points asks for Smylys supervisor and says, Youre not going to get away with murder. Lance Storz, 50, was found dead of an apparent suicide Tuesday morning at the Pike County Detention Center, where he was being held on three murder charges, Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt said Tuesday. Debris of trains lie on the rail lines after a collision in Tempe, about 235 miles north of Athens, near Larissa, Greece, March 1, 2023. 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. 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. Read more here. "I'm just checking to make sure that you have a right to be here, that's all. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. 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 . "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. Boulder police said there is no evidence Atkinson was racially profiled. Department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney.. 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