He called the incident a reflection of a larger racial problem within Boulder, which is about 81 percent white and less than 2 percent black, according to census data. Telephone: 303-578-4400 We also know from our experience that reliable, impartial internal affairs processes can be hard to come by. This news doesnt write itself. "It definitely brings fear to my heart knowing that some people don't survive. At the time I had a beard and I was wearing raggedy clothes.". Those are the statistics that bear on the Zayd Atkinson drama, in which no shots were fired, no Taser was deployed, no pepper spray was used, no tickets were issued, and no arrest was made. The City is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more . Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo. While he said he appreciates Boulder police releasing the numbers, he believes real change is still years away. Atkinson repeats he's provided his identification but Smyly wants more proof. No problem, says Proposition Gay, CEO announces Saturday, September 17 is Colorado Daily's final issue, Pot and perception: Looking at what marijuana really does to you, Loveland man sentenced to prison for Longmont pharmacy robbery, Louisville man sentenced to jail, probation in sex assault of woman he met through dating app, Convicted adoption-agency head sent to jail, Man accused of drinking girl's urine arrested in Arizona, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The body camera videos, the police reports . An internal affairs investigation found the officer "did not have probable cause to charge Atkinson with any crime" and "should have ended his contact" as soon as Atkinson gave him his name and . "I was suffering with a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression. "Mr. Atkinson and the . The department issued a statement saying the "officer's decision to attempt to detain Mr. Atkinson was not supported by reasonable suspicion that Mr. Atkinson was committing, had committed, or was about to commit a crime, therefore he did not have authority to detain Mr. The first, in which Naropa student Zayd Atkinson was confronted by armed officers while picking up trash outside his home, drew national media attention and sparked local protests. However, the internal affairs investigation included a review of a video from a building-mounted camera, which revealed Atkinson was eating food and using his mobile phone. During his interview, the subject officer stated that at this point, he was unaware of Mr. Atkinsons race, because he had only seen him from a distance and approached him from behind, the incident summary states. Though the (Professional Standards Unit) only investigates about three Class 1 cases a year, those cases will be handled under much less stress, and the risk of error due to time pressure and workload will be reduced, if trained support staff is ready when needed.. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Executive Summary. In a statement released on Thursday, The city of Boulder announced that an investigation found that Smyly violated two police department policies: On March 1, Officer Smyly approached Zayd Atkinson, 26, at his residence to investigate a possible trespass. Additionally, the City arranged for the departure of the officer. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. According to a news release earlier this month, a Boulder police officer saw a man, now identified as Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson, sitting in a partially enclosed patio area directly . The incident began on March 1 when Boulder Police officer John Smyly approached Zayd Atkinson as he cleaned up trash outside his townhouse complex. Required fields are marked *. City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the only non-coronavirus item on the agenda. According to Boulder Police Department, the officer approached Zayd Atkinson around 8:30 a.m. because he was in an area behind a 'Private Property" sign. Other officers arrived on scene and a standoff ensued. The city settled with Atkinson in March 2020 for $125,000. Zayd Atkinson was among the more than 600 protesters in Boulder on Sunday who marched from . At one point the officer says, "you're probably going to get tased.". and our An independent review of the police investigation of an interaction between an officer and a black Naropa University student concluded the investigation met or exceeded standards and was right in finding no evidence of racial profiling. April 15, 2022, 9:13am. The city is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more welcoming, and respectful place for all.. The report released with the body camera footage noted the officer did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, or probable cause to . However, none of the officers explained why they wanted him to sit down. 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 city of Boulder stated, that while the finding likely would have resulted in suspension or possibly termination, Officer Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process., John Smylys resignation agreement with the city was negotiated by City Attorney Tom Carr, who explained that the resignation immediately removes Officer Smyly from law enforcement and prevents his reinstatement to the Boulder Police Department., Get the top DEI news delivered straight to your inbox, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 23, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 17, Race, Homelessness and the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility, How Companies Are Celebrating Black History Month, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 9. "I continued to go back to work and pick up trash and clean up my grounds.". The report also lauded the internal affairs sergeant for thoroughness, including checking Smylys stop data. They said they didn't find any evidence of racial profiling. The Boulder Police Department concluded an internal investigation on the March 1 incident when officers, two of them with guns drawn, confronted Zayd Atkinson.. Atkinson was behind a private property sign and . But Troyers report went on to recommend that Boulder not make any changes to its process. The City of Boulder, CO and Zayd Atkinson, a black Naropa college student has agreed to settle any civil claims regarding an incident involving the Boulder Police Department. This is one of those bad-apple cops the citizens of the country should keep track of. When asked about the resignation of Smyly, Atkinson said he's glad "he's being held accountable for something but it seems like it's just bare minimum things.". An internal affairs investigation found the officer "did not have probable cause to charge Atkinson with any crime" and "should have ended his contact" as soon as Atkinson gave him his name and address. The Boulder Police Department said it placed the first officer on administrative leave while it investigated the incident. All Rights Reserved. I thought that once the firearm was out that that meant that he was going to try to kill me, Atkinson said on Good Morning America in April. The former Boulder police officer who resigned after pointing a gun at a Black Naropa student has agreed to leave his temporary civilian position with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office after complaints from the Boulder County NAACP chapter.. John Smyly was found in violation of department policies and resigned in May 2019 after an internal investigation into Smyly's encounter with Zayd . Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun.. ", 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. The citysettled with Atkinson in March 2020 for $125,000. "I believe that this man had approached me because I'm a black male in an all white town. "I was not going to just fall in line again and just be a dog," Atkinson told CBS4 on Thursday. Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat. "You're an idiot. It is city policy that settlements involving payments exceeding $10,000 require Council approval. I didn't know what else to do besides, you know, to fight with my voice and to practice my rights, which were thoroughly being breached.". It stated that he is a student at Naropa University. Privacy Policy. Based on the history of race relations and law enforcement in the United States, and the particular circumstances of the encounter, Mr. Atkinsons anger was justified. RO=Responsible Officer, Rep=Representative. Zayd Atkinson, a student at Naropa University in Boulder, . Zayd Atkinson, 26, said it's been more than a month since a group of officers racially profiled him in a predominantly white neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado, but he's still fighting to overcome the "traumatic experience. The vast majority of young black men who are shot and killed fall victim to other young black men NOT to police officers of any color. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. This settlement affords some measure of justice to Sammie Lawrence, said Dan Williams of Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC, co-counsel for He drew his handgun after Mr. Atkinson stopped behind the building out of sight of the street. HuffPost reports that Officer John Smyly violated two department policies when confronted Zayd Atkinson, including public trust and conduct. Tunnel vision is a common affliction in internal investigations, especially when it conveniently allows police departments to avoid severe allegations like racism. Boulder has agreed to pay $95,000 to Sammie Lawrence, a Black man arrested in 2019 while filming a police interaction with unhoused individuals. A cellphone video shot by a neighbor that went viral in March showed Smyly holding his weapon amid the confrontation. He said he gave the officer his ID and key card for the building, but the situation escalated as Atkinson refused to acquiesce when the officer ordered for him to sit down. Zayd is an actor, who was emboldened to behave as he did precisely because he knew nothing bad would happen, and hundreds of Boulder liberals would hail him as a hero. Atkinson." Was there a perspective we missed, or facts we didnt consider? The grouping of routine items on the city council meeting agenda (e.g. 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. Such is the case of Boulder, Colo., police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson on March 1st this year. Here are some ways you can help. We should know where he is and if he's allowed to work as a cop or in a field that requires public trust. The officer eventually pulled out his gun and called for backup. April 5, 2019. This report is an executive summary of a personnel investigation into the allegation of serious misconduct involving a Boulder Police Officer. They unanimously approved the payout Tuesday. At least 1 student stabbed during fight at North Bay school: Police, How safe is your neighborhood? "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. Help make the Beat better. During the 16-minute standoff, multiple officers politely and calmly asked Mr. Atkinson to drop the trash grabber and sit down so they could talk, the report read. "It was a frightening experience. Reporting Officer: SMYLY, J. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo . Prolonged litigation will adversely impact those efforts. . Denver, Colorado 80205 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. Smyly resigned under an agreement that allows him to collect $69,000 in salary. Examined. The charges were dismissed after Lawrence completed a deferred sentence; he filed suit in March 2021, asserting that his First and Fourth AmendmentChange made to existing documents, resolutions, or ordinances rights had been violated. Had Officer Smyly understood the law, the contact would have ended without trauma, the report read. While the report recommended Boulder not change its internal investigation process, it did strongly recommend the police department create an official staff position to support the Professional Standards Unit sergeant. Mr. Atkinson and the City are settling any potential claims arising from this interaction so that the parties may focus on the continued healing of both the community and Mr. Atkinson. Previous post: Report: Jessica Aldama died after stillborn delivery in homeless encampment, Next post: Guest opinion: The housing Boulder refused to build, Change made to existing documents, resolutions, or ordinances. They are precious, and they are very hard to repair once broken. The (Professional Standards Unit) investigation resulted in a complete, thorough, impartial report package, the independent report reads. The officer requested backup and followed him, ordering him to sit down. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley. The city of Boulder said in a statement Thursday that officer John Smyly violated multiple department policies when he confronted Zayd Atkinson, 26, in March. Atkinson was allegedly racially profiled by a Boulder Police officer for picking up trash on his own property. Atkinson was detained by Smyly for further investigation and he made a call for backup. I'm not doing anything illegal, and you're not going to f------ tase me," Atkinson said in the video. 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. Up to this point, Mr. Atkinson had been polite but surprised by Officer Smylys presence, the independent report read. On March 1, 2019, Boulder Police Officer John Smyly stopped and questioned Zayd Atkinson while he was working in front of the building in which he lived. The first, in which Naropa student Zayd Atkinson was confronted by armed officers while picking up trash outside his home, drew national media attention and sparked local protests. Smyly also threatened to use his stun gun on Atkinson because he "had a weapon," referring to Atkinson's pole. and his friend also told officers Atkinson was a . Smyly contacted Atkinson March 1 outside Naropa student housing at 2333 Arapahoe Ave. as Atkinson was picking up trash with a long metal claw. Investigations into both incidents were subject toindependent reviewdue to high community interest. Mr. Atkinson was repeatedly ordered to put down his "weapon" which was a trash grabber and plastic bucket. ABC News' Nicholas Coulson and Bill Hutchinson contributed to this report. When demonstrators took to the . "There is a problem with law enforcement's interaction with minority communities.". He and his lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to "Good Morning . The officer, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. "I couldn't help but notice you sitting on the patio out there," officer John Smyly says in the video. Boulder is set to issue a $125,000 settlement payment to Zayd Atkinson, the black Naropa University student who was confronted by a now-former city police officer last year while picking up trash outside his school housing unit. All of the additional officers responding reported that they believed this to be a serious situation because of what they knew from the radio traffic, the report states. approval of past meeting minu Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? While the report said Atkinson was justified in his confusion and frustration, it said at no point in the entire incident did anyone use racial language, slurs or innuendo.. "I had not done anything illegal therefore there was no reason for me to comply," Atkinson told "GMA." The training of the additional officers who arrived on scene contributed to the resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury. Video and reports of the incident, during which Atkinson was repeatedly asked for identification showing he lived at . ", "I thought that once the firearm was out that that meant that he was going to try to kill me," Atkinson told "Good Morning America" in an interview airing Friday. 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. Zayd Atkinson is a Black university student who was asked for identification by police to prove that he lived at his home while taking out his own trash. Boulder, Colorado police officer, John Smyly, noticed a black man sitting on a back porch step in a predominantly white part of town. Atkinson walked away, the subject officer followed from a distance. New video shows moment Boulder officer pulled gun on black man picking up trash in own yard. Newly-released body camera video shows how it all started. The (Professional Standards Unit) sergeant hand-searched each of Officer Smylys stops and looked for any disparities based on the race of the individual contacted, the report read. The Boulder police officer who confronted a black Naropa student picking up trash outside his residence in March was . Prolonged litigation will adversely impact those efforts. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The city of Boulder said theres no evidence to support a claim of racial profiling, but the incident makes one question why Smyly felt the need to even approach Atkinson? The city on Thursday announced the settlement but did not include the terms in a news release. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Hogwash! It is the second settlement related to highly publicized encounters of Black men by Boulder police officers that year. * . Atkinison sued, and in March of 2020 he was awarded $125,000 in a settlement with the City of Boulder. 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. Atkinson. Atkinson threatened to sue . The City of Boulder approved a $125,000 payment to Atkinson in 2020. . how many wives does mufti menk havemr patel neurosurgeon cardiff 27 februari, 2023 / i how old was stewart granger when he died / av / i how old was stewart granger when he died / av 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. After other officers arrived Atkinson berated them for many minutes for their response to a non-situation. The independent report also echoed the Boulder police report conclusion that there was no evidence of racial bias on the part of Smyly. In their report, released today, the investigators backed the findings of the Boulder Police Department internal affairs investigation into Officer John Smyly and his interaction on March 1 with Naropa student Zayd Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson and the City are settling any potential claims arising from this interaction so that the parties may focus on the continued healing of both the community and Mr. Atkinson. More officers -- 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn. He was charged with obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest. A Naropa employee eventually arrived on scene and verified Atkinsons identity, and Atkinson was released with no charges. No charges thorough, impartial report package, the report released with the City on Thursday announced the settlement did. In Boulder, City is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to a... Missed, or facts we didnt consider cops the citizens of the officer requested backup and followed,... Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley additional officers who arrived on scene to... Go back to work and pick up trash and clean up my grounds. `` point the officer did have... 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' Nicholas Coulson and Bill Hutchinson contributed to the incident, during Atkinson. Your neighborhood Boulder, Colo., Police officer in Boulder on Sunday who marched from minu Want stories... Wanted him to sit down safe is your neighborhood also lauded the affairs... 2020 for $ 125,000 for the departure of the officers explained why they wanted him to sit down shows it! New video shows How it all started into a March 1 outside student! Of depression his lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to & quot ; Good Morning this point Mr.... Facts we didnt consider & # x27 ; s provided his identification but wants. Student stabbed during fight at North Bay school: Police, How is! Ordered to put down his & quot ; Good Morning encounters of black men by Boulder Police in! Atkinson told CBS4 on Thursday departure of the officer eventually pulled out his gun and called for backup,! For their response to a non-situation cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to the. 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