The report concluded Smyly violated department policy during the encounter with Atkinson. The officer, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. and I wish to inform you of the resolution to the issue, Our staff spoke to John Smyly yesterday concerning the controversy over his temporary position here. By. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. Im not tryi. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. 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. Atkinson provided his school ID, which did not have an address and then offered to let himself into the building as proof. John Smyly Current Workplace. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, a black man confronted by a Boulder police officer. Venus, the moon, Mars, and Jupiter are all visible in the eastern sky above Lake Michigan before sunrise June 23, 2022, in Chicago. 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. Not today.. 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.. 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. 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. Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly is introduced at the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, Jan. 13, 2023, in Chicago. 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 Sheriffs Office after complaints from the Boulder County NAACP chapter. 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. John Smyly has been working as a Officer John at Boulder Valley School District for 9 years. Stop!. I found this video of John Smyly, whom I met personally in Japan in 2003 and dont think hes a racist, reason why I decided to make this video. 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. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/breaking and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun!. Wake up to the day's most important news. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. 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. . According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson whether he lived in the building, which was Naropa student housing. Based upon this investigation and concerns it raised, the Boulder Police Department will be initiating additional officer training concerning effective de-escalation of incidents, the department wrote in a release. All Rights Reserved. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. Such is the case of Boulder, Colo., police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson on March 1st this year. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said. 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. 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. Finally, police confirm his story by asking someone else if he does, in fact, live there. 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. YouTube file photo He can be heard saying in the body cam video, Youre probably going to get tased in a second, because you have a weapon. Smyly then drew his handgun, telling police he believed the stun gun would not be effective because Atkinson was wearing a heavy coat. When Zayde Atkinson refuses, Smyly threatens to tase him. According to a summary of the investigation released by Boulder police Chief Greg Testa, Smyly was conducting extra patrols on March 1 in the area of Folsom Street and Arapahoe Avenue due to recent crime in the area. 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 said he noticed Atkinson on the rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. ", 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 man he tried to bully and intimidate, Zayde Atkinson, NEVER gave in. Boulder Police Officer Resigns After Confronting Black Man Picking Up Trash, News That Matters, Delivered To Your Inbox. . 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. Atkinson repeatedly said he had not done anything wrong. Obviously, I still have things to learn. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. 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. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. You want to know what is really going on these days, especially in Colorado. Simon and Sally Glass say findings vindicate their belief that their son was murdered by Clear Creek County sheriff's deputies. 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. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. He tries to make his victim sit like a dog, for no reason other than to assert dominance over him. Newly-released body camera video shows how it all started. 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. 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. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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. 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. As part of the settlement agreement between Smyly and the City of Boulder his file "will document separation from employment due to resignation.". Atkinson said he did, and Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. 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. Atkinson said he did and gave Smyly his Naropa student ID. 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. Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the Boulder Police Department had no prior disciplinary action, it was. Video of the incident from Smyly's body camera shows him detaining . "I will not sit down, I refuse to sit down, until you guys put your (expletive) weapons away," Atkinson said. In the body camera footage, Atkinson can be seen several times walking away from Smyly, with Smyly following after him and ordering him to sit down. CPR's Joella Baumann contributed to this report. Embattled NC sheriff resigns again before DA details accusations against him in court. After about eight minutes, more officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson. Police: Worker shoots, kills manager at Hobby Lobby in Oklahoma City, Harry, Meghan asked to leave Windsor Estate home in further royal rift, FBI reportedly resisted searching Trumps Mar-a-Lago for classified documents, Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash, After shootings, Michigan State to restrict building access, Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming tragic story, GZA, Donnie Iris, John Mayer among top concerts to see around Pittsburgh in March, How officials cracked case of eyedrops that blinded people. The Moving can be an exciting experience. 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 officer was identified today as 40-year-old John Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department with no prior disciplinary action. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. The city of Boulder is paying this officer nearly $80,000 for violating the constitutional rights of Zayd. Thats what youre gonna do, officer? Newly-released . If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. He has agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. We did not see any opportunity for harm. 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. The iconic deep dish chain is focusing on expanding its franchise restaurants. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney said. While it found Smyly violated department policy, the report indicated there was not enough evidence to support racial bias being a factor. 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.. Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth. Rescuers searched through the burned-out wreckage of two trains that slammed into each other in northern Greece. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun!. 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. 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. He has agreed to immediately seek other employment outside of the county government. 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 The subject officers decision to attempt to detain Mr. Atkinson was not supported by reasonable suspicion that Mr. Atkinson was committing, or was about to commit a crime, therefore he did not have authority to detain Mr. Atkinson, the report read. ", 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. Read more here. The job was publicly posted in 2019, Wagner said. 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. "My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled," he . Im picking up trash! 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. Atkinson said he did, and Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Whats next after moving on from Patrick Kane? 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. City Attorney Tom Carr said firing Smyly would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. 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. Atkinson refused, then picked up the bucket and tool and walked away. Newly-released. 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. 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. We did not see any opportunity for harm, he wrote. 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. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. 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, which is housing for the university. Our staff spoke to John Smyly yesterday concerning the controversy over his temporary position here. 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. Atkinson said he did, and Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. Listen now. Im picking up trash, and youre holding a gun!. This was a temporary, non-enforcement job with no public contact or representation. The report indicated none of the officers, including Smyly, ever pointed a gun or stun gun at Atkinson. 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. "Shouldn't that be enough for you?". We would immediately lose our jobs.. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. Smyly was hired by the sheriffs office in January on a two-year term position as a civilian training and development coordinator in the sheriffs computer support unit. A person can also be heard telling Atkinson he was likely racially profiled, but police determined that was said by the Naropa employee, not any of the officers. 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. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. 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. 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 was allowed to resign, and is likely working for another department at this time. Boulder police said there is no evidence Atkinson was racially profiled. (Tribune photo by Nancy Stone). According to the report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived there. 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. Stop!. That's when the tense 22-minute stand-off ends. 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. On these days, especially in colorado resign, and Smyly asked for identification with the address on it ;! 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where is officer john smyly now