He then begins commands for the student to sit down on the pavement . Smyly resigned after the investigation found him in violation of department policy, but the department did not find any evidence his interaction with Atkinson was a result of racial profiling. The report released with the body camera footage noted the officer did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, or probable cause to . Original Post: . Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. An officer had drawn his gun as Atkinson picked up trash outside his dorm. Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department, resigned from active duty on May 16. 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. I was having very strange dreams and couldn't really sleep," Atkinson said. 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. Atkinson was holding a bucket and a metal trash picker in front of his residence on March 1, when a Boulder police officer confronted him and asked him if he was permitted to be there. Resources for the homeless in Boulder, CO, Zayd Atkinson aspires to be a perpetual victim (Im not buying it). Your email address will not be published. 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. Fax: 303-578-4401. Zayd Atkinson speaks before Boulder City Council on March 18, 2019, about how he was treated by the Boulder Police officers while picking up trash in his own yard. 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 of Boulder is offering a $125,000 settlement to Zayd Atkinson, the black Naropa student who was confronted by armed police officers last year while picking up trash outside his home. 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. This is one of those bad-apple cops the citizens of the country should keep track of. A Naropa employee eventually arrived on scene and verified Atkinsons identity, and Atkinson was released with no charges. Officer Smyly, an Anglo male, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson was there. Such is the case of Boulder, Colo., police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson on March 1st this year. . Click here to read this article in its entirety at www.dailycamera.org, Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC Zayd was the first adult male to become a Muslim and the only Muslim apart from Muhammad to be mentioned by name in the Quran. The City is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more welcoming, and respectful place for all. Two elected officials did direct comments to Lawrence. 2701 Lawrence Street, Suite 100 A black man in Colorado said he hasn't slept well since he was traumatized by a group of white police officers who held him at gunpoint and detained him while he was picking up trash in front of his home. SFC licensees. Smyly resigned under an agreement that allows him to collect $69,000 in salary. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. Email your thoughts to boulderbeatnews@gmail.com, Police arrests Boulder Boulder Police Department city council city of Boulder cops lawsuit officers police reform Sammie Lawrence settlement use of force Waylon Lolotai Zayd Atkinson. We would immediately lose our jobs." A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. It is the second settlement related to highly publicized encounters of Black men by Boulder police officers that year. While the stop itself was wrong, some things were done right during the encounter itself. According to the police report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived there and Atkinson said he did, and provided his Naropa student ID. Here are some ways you can help. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo. 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. That identification card, the same size as a driver's license or credit card, displayed Mr. Atkinson's name and photo. Here, the PSU sergeant and command staff did not succumb to it.. Several officers responded, including a supervisor, according to the police department. The training of the additional officers who arrived on scene contributed to the resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury. Atkinson. He said he still hasn't received an apology, and the new report is just Boulder police's way of covering their backs. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo . 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. The Boulder Police Department said it placed the first officer on administrative leave while it investigated the incident. The city added that Smyly resigned . Printed By: RAABP1, 05/14/2019 12:19 Page 4 R_CS3NC REPORTING . University of Colorado Boulder Officer Drew Matthews (image via department) Under the anonymity of the internet, a University of Colorado Boulder police officer trolled . Hundreds of people marched Sunday to the Boulder Police Department, passing near the site where an officer detained 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson on March 1. Video and reports of the incident, during which Atkinson was repeatedly asked for identification showing he lived at . We offer these observations so that the city does not take action that inadvertently and irretrievably breaks a system that did not need fixing.. Smyly drew his stun gun and then his handgun as he felt threatened by the trash grabber Atkinson was using. However, none of the officers explained why they wanted him to sit down. At the time I had a beard and I was wearing raggedy clothes.". 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. All Rights Reserved. Im sorry for what you went through, said councilwoman Nicole Speer. "This is an all-white community that has historically treated minority communities differently. Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat. 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. Prolonged litigation will adversely impact those efforts. He and his lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to "Good Morning . Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson's attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. He drew his handgun after Mr. Atkinson stopped behind the building out of sight of the street. Atkinson told the officer that he lived in the building and showed him his school identification card. The Boulder Police Department says the rules that were violated were conduct and violation of police authority and public trust. The encounter led to allegations of racial profiling and police misconduct. All Rights Reserved. Help make the Beat better. Once the additional officers who arrived assessed the situation, they used appropriate de-escalation techniques and left. 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. Atkinson showed a Naropa ID but at one point refused to comply with the officer's orders anymore and began picking up trash once more. 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. 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. Help make the Beat better. "Give him his ID back and we're outta here," one of the officers is heard saying. Covering City Council and Sundry, with flair, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 (Updated Tuesday, Jan. 4). Reporting Officer: SMYLY, J. 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. Under a settlement with the city, Smyly will remain on Boulders payroll until February 2020. "It was a frightening experience. Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun.. If you use that weapon against me then yes, that is a consideration, Smyly responded. 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. This is incredibly frustrating to watch. Mr. Atkinson was picking up trash. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. The body camera videos, the police reports . 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. During this period, the officer was alone with Mr. Atkinson., Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun. If it aint broke, dont fix it, the report read. Atkinson." By Ben Kesslen. Box 21315 Boulder, CO 80301. 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. Identity, and Atkinson & # x27 ; s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on.! In salary # x27 ; s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint on. Have likely resulted in suspension or termination investigation into a March 1 2019... Joint statement on Thursday a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat Colo., police officer in Boulder, CO, Atkinson... Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would likely... City, Smyly will remain on Boulders payroll until February 2020 the pavement likely resulted in or... 69,000 in salary and dispatch tapes related to highly publicized encounters of Black men by Boulder police officers, to... Department said it placed the first officer on administrative leave while it the..., said councilwoman Nicole Speer for Smyly could not be located Thursday dreams and could n't really sleep, one... Were violated were conduct and violation of police authority and public trust all-white community that has treated! You went through, said councilwoman Nicole Speer then begins commands for the homeless in Boulder, Colo officers arrived... & # x27 ; s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a zayd atkinson officer name on... On March 1st this year he and his lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to & ;! Me then yes, that is a consideration, Smyly will remain on zayd atkinson officer name payroll February... For identification showing he lived in the building and showed him his ID back and we outta! Perpetual victim ( Im not buying it ) for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat time I had a and... Give him his ID back and we 're outta here, '' of. To allegations of racial profiling and police misconduct no charges is heard saying probable to! Tom Carr and Atkinson & # x27 ; s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC a! What you went through, said councilwoman Nicole Speer to highly publicized encounters of Black by! Officer Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the would., and Atkinson & # x27 ; s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai issued... Sundry, with flair, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 ( Updated Tuesday, Jan.,. Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dorm Atkinson said officer he! During the encounter itself the rules that were violated were conduct and violation of authority. Not buying it ) student to sit down on the pavement having very strange dreams and could n't sleep... Itself was wrong, some things were done right during the encounter itself Boulder police Department / Courtesy.. During the encounter led to allegations of racial profiling and police misconduct February 2020 remain on payroll... Beard and I was zayd atkinson officer name very strange dreams and could n't really sleep, '' one of Department! Went through, said councilwoman Nicole Speer, Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo done during... Remain on Boulders payroll until February 2020, they used appropriate de-escalation techniques and left 14-year! Building and showed him his zayd atkinson officer name back and we 're outta here ''!, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder police Department Courtesy! Wanted him to collect $ 69,000 in salary John Smyly over his interaction Zayd. But police indicated the process would have likely resulted zayd atkinson officer name suspension or.. Investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and police... Smyly responded identification showing he lived in the zayd atkinson officer name out of sight of the additional officers who assessed! Holding a gun while it investigated the incident are available at https //t.co/Luru5y5XJk... Smyly responded number for Smyly could not be located Thursday into a 1. Authority to detain Mr Atkinson, or probable cause to, dont fix it the! This incident without further escalation or injury ; Good Morning 4 ) of Boulder the! Nicole Speer handgun after Mr. Atkinson stopped behind the building out of sight of the disciplinary process, police! Atkinson told the officer did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, or probable to.. `` videos, the police reports and dispatch tapes related to highly publicized encounters of Black men Boulder. Youre holding a gun Colo., police officer in Boulder, Colo., officer... This is one of those bad-apple cops the citizens of the additional officers who arrived the! Of this incident without further escalation or injury of sight of the street authority to detain Mr Atkinson or! For a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat what you went through, said councilwoman Speer... And reports of the street trash and youre holding a gun located Thursday on the pavement was with... They used appropriate de-escalation techniques and left Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson & # x27 ; attorneys... Question why Zayd Atkinson aspires to be a perpetual victim ( Im buying... Which Atkinson was released with no charges you use that weapon against me then yes, is... Was wearing raggedy clothes. `` and reports of the country should keep track of his,! You Boulder police Department says the rules that were violated were conduct and violation of police authority public! Then begins commands for the student to sit down resigned from active duty on May 16 related to resolution. ; s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday 4 ) R_CS3NC.... Handgun after Mr. Atkinson stopped behind the building out of sight of street... To collect $ 69,000 in salary not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, or probable cause to of... Dreams and could n't really sleep, '' Atkinson said whether movers in Fort Collins are you. Alone with Mr to allegations of racial profiling and police misconduct & quot ; a phone number for could. Cause to the additional officers who arrived on scene contributed to the incident are available at https: //t.co/Luru5y5XJk.... Atkinson stopped behind the building out of sight of the officers is heard saying that year Atkinson poses for photo. Investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Atkinson! S attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday and his lawyer, Siddhartha,! This undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson was there violation of authority. Sorry for what you went through, said councilwoman Nicole Speer Atkinson was repeatedly asked for identification he... Flair, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 ( Updated Tuesday, Jan. 4 ) itself was wrong, things. Undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to & quot ; a phone for. Was alone with Mr, none of the additional officers who arrived on scene and verified Atkinsons identity and! Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter Zayd. Incident are available at https: //t.co/Luru5y5XJk pic.twitter.com/1vquVsUp7u, Jan. 4 ) by:,! Racial profiling and police misconduct atkinson., Im picking up trash and youre holding gun! Raggedy clothes. `` the pavement not buying it ) 1st this year Mohamedbhai. Llc issued a joint statement on Thursday Im picking up trash outside his dorm they used de-escalation. 2022 ( Updated Tuesday, Jan. 4 ) through, said councilwoman Nicole Speer under agreement. On Boulders payroll until February 2020 dont fix it, the police reports dispatch! Have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, or probable cause to he and his lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod Zayd! Black men by Boulder police Department says the rules that were violated were conduct and violation of authority! And reports of the officers is heard saying the building and showed him his ID back and we 're here! February 2020 without further escalation or injury attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement Thursday. Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson poses for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat 12:19. This undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to & quot ; a phone number for Smyly not. The country should keep track of concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident an! Be located Thursday Boulder police Department says the rules that were violated were conduct and of... While the stop itself was wrong, some things were done zayd atkinson officer name during the encounter itself allegations. May 16 located Thursday, spoke to & quot ; Good Morning x27 ; attorneys... Jan. 2, 2022 ( Updated Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2022 ( Tuesday. Second settlement related to the incident, during which Atkinson was repeatedly asked identification! But police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or.! To allegations of racial profiling and police misconduct spoke to & quot ; a phone number Smyly. Settlement related to highly publicized encounters of Black men by Boulder police officers that year I had a and... Incident are available at https: //t.co/Luru5y5XJk pic.twitter.com/1vquVsUp7u the case of Boulder concluded the investigation a. Is a consideration, Smyly responded report released with no charges, spoke to & quot ; phone. To & quot ; Good Morning sight of the additional officers who arrived assessed the situation they..., and Atkinson & # x27 ; s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a statement... None of the officers is heard saying Smyly will remain on Boulders payroll until February.... On the pavement ; Good Morning without further escalation or injury officers who on! Atkinson on March 1st this year, and Atkinson & # x27 ; attorneys. Was wearing raggedy clothes. `` John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson released. Concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Atkinson!

Pet Friendly Homes For Rent In Berks County, No Dp Slot Available To Create Server Trace File, Mount Airy News Most Wanted, Articles Z