However, Smyly resigned before the investigation concluded. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. BOULDER, Colo. One of the Boulder police officers who confronted a black man as he was picking up trash in his yard has been found to be in violation of department policies and has resigned . Officer John Smyly was allowed to resign. 1202 University Avenue, 459 UCB It feels like they are jumping on this train with me after watching the film and hearing the stories.. Smylys resignation comes more than two months after he and other officers confronted Atkinson,a student at Naropa University, at the patio area of his apartment, according to ABC News. 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. Newly-released . "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. He will, however, remain an employee through February . 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 . 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. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in . Thats what youre gonna do officer? The city said that an investigation did not find evidence of racial profiling. Everyone really needs to open their eyes to all the truths of their community so we can fix it.. "I don't have a weapon! Atkinson refused then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. "If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted. Atkinsons behavior reportedly led Smyly to radio for backup because the resident was being uncooperative and unwilling to put down a blunt object, a police statement obtained by ABC News said. City Attorney Tom Carr said firing Smyly would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. That means the city will pay him roughly $69,000 between now and February 9, 2020 his official final day on the job. May 17, 2019, 6:17 AM PDT. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter.According to the new video footage, 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. Cellphone footage shot by a neighbor showed Smyly holding his firearm amid the confrontation. Atkinson, who was holding a trash picker at the time, then told Smyly that he both lived and worked there before giving the officer his ID card. 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. Im picking up trash! Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. Stop!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.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. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. City Attorney Tom Carr said the exchange between Smyly and Atkinson does not represent the professionalism of the department. 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 . Video shows Smyly approaching Atkinson in a partially enclosed patio area behind a private property sign, prompting the officer to ask if the man had a right to be there. 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. City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the only non . Advertisement. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong.Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. Youre probably going to get tased in a second, because you have a weapon, Smyly told Atkinson before brandishing his handgun. Stop!. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role on May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police . CU ecologists are tracking down the surviving trees of the Front Ranges all but vanished apple orchards and priming a renewal. WEST POINT, N.Y. Army head coach Jeff Monken is giving a history lesson. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. They left after determining that Atkinson had a right to be on the property. The report released with the video footage 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. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smy. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with . Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. 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. 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. John Smiley was a Pitcher. According to the new video footage, 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. 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 . He will be on the city payroll until February 2020. Join Facebook to connect with John Smyly and others you may know. Such is the case of Boulder, Colo., police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson on March 1st this year. 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. One of the officers involved in the latter scenario, John Smyly, resigned from the BPD earlier this month. Atkinson repeats he's provided his identification but Smyly wants more proof. Smyly next asked for Atkinsons date of birth. Initially freelancing at iOne Digital in 2010, he officially joined the iOne team in 2017 where he currently works as a Senior Editor for Cassius Life and Hip-Hop Wired. We would immediately lose our jobs.". 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. May 16, 2019, 9:54 PM. A Colorado police officer, John Smyly resigned after an incident he had with a local resident where he approached this black man who was picking up trash around the residency he lived at. He said Boulder either lacks the ability or will to root out racism from this police department. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned . On Thursday, the city announced the conclusion of an internal investigation, saying it found Smyly violated two department policies could not substantiate claims of racial bias. At one point, eight police officers were surrounding Atkinson, but they eventually left after confirming Atkinson did indeed live in the building as he claimed. Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. Thats what youre gonna do officer? John Smyly, a former Boulder Colorado Police officer detains a man, Zayde Atkinson with no RAS. As part of an agreement, hell remain an employee through February and earn roughly $69,000 in salary for unused holiday and sick time, officials said. Police body camera footage released Thursday . Since Live PD and Cops was cancelled, James Freeman does LIVE STREAMING COP WATCHES. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. 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. After about eight minutes, more Boulder police officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson. 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. By Breanna . "If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. 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. 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. TwoFeather. Maybe he got a suspicious call or saw something but things escalated. While we have no proof racial bias was a motivating factor, the internal affairs investigation resulted in sustained violations of police policies.. is a native Washingtonian and resides in the Greater Washington area. We would immediately lose our jobs.. He currently heads the SPIRIT.ED column for Cassius Life, which focuses on adult beverages and their history. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. A police officer in Colorado has resigned after confronting a black student picking up rubbish outside his shared accommodation. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinson's race. 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. 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