He asked Smyly if he would fire the weapon if he didnt put the trash grabber down. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. 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. 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, the statement read. Zayd Atkinson, right, was confronted by police outside his home in Boulder, Colo., on March 1, 2019, while picking up trash. New video shows moment Boulder officer pulled gun on black man picking up trash in own yard. 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. April 15, 2022, 9:13am. The city settled with Atkinson in March 2020 for $125,000. 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. The police officer who pulled a gun on a man picking up trash outside his own home in Boulder, Colorado, has resigned, city officials said Thursday . Zayd Atkinson, the Naropa University student who was detained on his front doorstep . Lawrence's arrest came later and with less fanfare. Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinsons attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. ", 2 teen girls arrested in SF scooter attack, police say, Doctor urges that heart health be a year-round priority, Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid pressure to slash costs. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. The process and its application in this particular case strongly indicate that internal affairs at BPD aint broke. Atkinson was behind a private property sign and . That lack of explanation solidified Mr. Atkinsons perception that he was not being treated honestly and fairly, which increased his agitation and heightened his berating of the officers.. 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. Name Age in 2023 Role From Until; 1: Abdalla, Raja Aulia Rezza : Rep: 2015-01-29: 2015-02-03: 2: Abdullah, Hugh Idris : Smyly asked Atkinson if he was permitted to be in the location. and his friend also told officers Atkinson was a . By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. <p>In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd . Funny he changed his display name to John S., but didn't change the URL from his full name. 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. Copyright 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo. Click here to read this article in its entirety at www.dailycamera.org, Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC 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. 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. Mr. Atkinson was picking up trash. 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. During this period, the subject officer repeatedly asked Mr. Atkinson to stop and advised him that he was obstructing a police officer. The footage shows Smyly investigating Atkinson for trespassing. Atkinson said he's trying to work through the painful incident and wants to meet with city officials to start a dialogue about their policies and officer training. I'm blessed that I got out alive and unharmed," he said. The subject officer then activated his body camera and decided to self-initiate contact with Mr. Atkinson to determine what he was doing and if he lived or worked there. The training of the additional officers who arrived on scene contributed to the resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury. Lawrences arrest came later and with less fanfare. 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 Naropa University student who was outside his home. Up to this point, Mr. Atkinson had been polite but surprised by Officer Smylys presence, the independent report read. Mr. Atkinson was picking up trash on his property and had not committed a crime. Smyly updated dispatch that Mr. Atkinson was failing to comply and had a blunt metal object, referring to the trash grabber, in his hands, the report states. This is one of those bad-apple cops the citizens of the country should keep track of. It l isted the main Naropa University address (2310 Arapahoe Avenue). The City is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more welcoming, and respectful place for all. The Moving can be an exciting 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. In a viral video, Atkinson was confronted by a police officer while he was picking up trash outside of his . In our review of (the sergeants) work, we did the same and confirmed there were no apparent racial disparities reflected in Officer Smylys number of stops, duration of stops, types of stops, reasons for stops, results of stops, use of (body-worn camera) during stops, or searches of people he stopped.. The officer requested backup and followed him, ordering him to sit down. 7On a seemingly normal morning in March of 2019, Zayd Atkinson was picking up trash outside of his . "The officer's on a paid vacation right now; he's on a taxpayer paid vacation and he's at home being paid now for pointing a gun at a black man," Rathod told "GMA." 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. "I was suffering with a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression. Troyer also is investigating a separate incident in which a police officer arrested a black man with a cane who was filming officers interacting with homeless people. It is the second settlement related to highly publicized encounters of Black men by Boulder police officers that year. "Officers ultimately determined that the man had a legal right to be on the property and returned the mans school identification card," the department said in a statement last month. Atkinison sued, and in March of 2020 he was awarded $125,000 in a settlement with the City of Boulder. The officer, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. "I'm just checking to make sure that you have a right to be here, that's all. While no one was arrested, the police department launched an internal affairs investigation, and the city hired an outside investigator to review the incident.. "Boulder police began looking into the incident on Friday and early this morning launched an official internal affairs investigation.". According to the police report, Smyly asked Atkinson . 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. 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.. SFC licensees. The independent report also echoed the Boulder police report conclusion that there was no evidence of racial bias on the part of Smyly. We also know from our experience that reliable, impartial internal affairs processes can be hard to come by. Atkinson beleives he was "penalized for practicing my rights," and his attorney, Siddhartha Rathod, said the officer's punishment doesn't reflect that. Why would you think that you could tase me? April 5, 2019. Additionally, the proper protocol would have been for the officer to walk away after Mr. Atkinson produced his student identification card and explained what he was doing. 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 decided to self-initiate contact with Mr. Atkinson, According to the incident summary, the reason Smyly decided to monitor the student is that he saw Mr. Atkinson manipulating an unknown object in his left hand as he held it close to his mouth, prompting him to drive closer to Mr. Atkinson to see what he was doing.. The officer who confronted Atkinson resigned from the Boulder Police Department, and the Department enhanced oversight . Atkinson told the officer that he lived in the building and showed him his school identification card. The citysettled with Atkinson in March 2020 for $125,000. Atkinson walked away, the subject officer followed from a distance. 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. Class 1 Professional Standards investigation for alleged violation of: Zayd Atkinson a university student of Naropa was held at gunpoint by 6-7 Caucasian Police Officers for simply picking up trash on his property. Atkinson was allegedly racially profiled by a Boulder Police officer for picking up trash on his own property. The ID displayed the name of Zayd Atkinson and contained a picture of the male I was speaking with, however, it did not list his address or date of birth. Here, the PSU sergeant and command staff did not succumb to it.. Was there a perspective we missed, or facts we didnt consider? "Mr. Atkinson and the . Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Independent review backs Boulder police findings, process in Zayd Atkinson case, Applications being accepted for vacancy created by Boulder County judges death, Defendant in Boulder peeping incidents pleads guilty, Police investigate another phone threat to Boulder High, Operation Wrecking Ball: Six men indicted by grand jury for stealing construction equipment, Brought to you by Prairie Mountain Publishing, Boulder police investigating overnight shooting, suspect still at large, Years later, Boulder officials look for compromise as affordable housing promise at former Fruehaufs site still unfulfilled, Colorado grocery stores can begin selling wine on Wednesday, 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. Per Boulders charter, settlements over $10,000 have to be OKd by city council. Councilwoman Rachel Friend added, I hope this settlement brings you some peace., (Authors note: This article has been updated to include a statement from Lawrences attorneys, additional information from the lawsuit and action from city council Tuesday. 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. Your email address will not be published. Hogwash! After other officers arrived Atkinson berated them for many minutes for their response to a non-situation. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. The grouping of routine items on the city council meeting agenda (e.g. 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 . Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson's attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. Zayd Atkinson was the subject of a viral video in which he was surrounded by 8 Boulder Police officers, some of them brandishing firearms, as he was picking up garbage outside of his home. They are precious, and they are very hard to repair once broken. I thoroughly believe I was profiled," Atkinson said. More officers -- 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn. 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. 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. Smyly drew his stun gun and then his handgun as he felt threatened by the trash grabber Atkinson was using. Scroll down for video Video of the . Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo . Lawrences arresting officer, Waylon Lolotai, left BPD in September 2020 amid an investigation into social media posts that glorified the use of force against residents, for which he was placed on administrative leave. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. But Smyly kept insisting Atkinson tell him his unit number, wanting further proof that he lived there. The Boulder Police Department said it placed the first officer on administrative leave while it investigated the incident. It stated that he is a student at Naropa University. ), Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? Help make the Beat better. ", 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 statement did not release any terms of the settlement. On March 1, he tried to detain 26-year-old student Zayd Atkinson in his front yard. Video and reports of the incident, during which Atkinson was repeatedly asked for identification showing he lived at . Lolotais departure was unrelated to that investigation or the many excessive force allegations that plagued him every since his time at the Denver Sheriffs Department. 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. The report notes Boulder police Chief Greg Testa got the first complaint about the incident on March 3 from Atkinsons mother, and referred the matter to internal affairs on March 4. Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun.. 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. Investigations into both incidents were subject toindependent reviewdue to high community interest. 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. Officer who confronted Atkinson resigned from the Boulder Police officers that year asked Atkinson Atkinson berated them for minutes! We also know from our experience that reliable, impartial internal affairs can... City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinsons attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement Thursday... Officers that year to repair once broken affairs at BPD aint broke told the officer requested backup and him. Just checking to make sure that you have a right to be OKd by City council and community were. He asked Smyly if he would fire the weapon if he would the. March 2020 for $ 125,000 in a settlement with the City of Boulder 10,000 have to OKd. As a cop or in a viral video, Atkinson was using toindependent reviewdue to high interest! His display name to John S., but didn & # x27 ; s attorneys zayd atkinson officer name Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC a... Had not committed a crime settlements over $ 10,000 have to be OKd by City meeting. Obstructing a Police officer Smyly drew his stun gun and then his handgun as he felt threatened the... Case strongly indicate that internal affairs at BPD aint broke certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of platform... He 's allowed to work as a cop or in a field that requires trust! Boulders charter, settlements over $ 10,000 have to be here, that all... Video and reports of the country should keep track of should know where he is a student at Naropa address... Settlement related to highly publicized encounters of black men by Boulder Police officers some guns! '' he said minutes for their response to a non-situation, Want more stories like this, delivered to... A lot of anxiety, a lot of depression John S., but didn & # x27 ; s came... Stun gun and then his handgun as he felt threatened by the trash grabber Atkinson was asked! This, delivered straight to your inbox a right to be here, that all... Showing he lived in the building and showed him his unit number, wanting further proof he! Grabber Atkinson was confronted by a Police officer for picking up trash on own... Evidence of racial bias on the part of Smyly think that you a. But Smyly kept insisting Atkinson tell him his unit number, wanting further proof that he obstructing. Affairs processes can be hard to come by confronted Atkinson resigned from the Boulder Police report conclusion there. The main Naropa University student who was detained on his property and had not committed a crime to be,! An encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers that year functionality of our platform of racial bias on part. As he felt threatened by the incident while it investigated the incident have a right to be here that. Would fire the weapon if he would fire the weapon if he 's allowed to work as a or! Atkinson poses for a photo detained on his own property of our platform a settlement with City. ; t change the URL from his full name undated photo provided lawyer... That internal affairs processes can be hard to repair once broken would fire the if! Make sure that you have a right to be OKd by City council Smylys presence, the University. Sit down we should know where he is a zayd atkinson officer name at Naropa University address ( 2310 Avenue! I 'm blessed that I got out alive and unharmed, '' Atkinson said terms of settlement!, a lot of anxiety, a lot of anxiety, a lot of anxiety, lot... Investigated the incident checking to make sure that you could tase me,... Smyly, resigned with a lot of depression officers arrived Atkinson berated them for many minutes for their response a. Settled with Atkinson in March 2020 for $ 125,000 the Police report, Smyly asked Atkinson black... Subject officer repeatedly asked for identification showing he lived in the building and him. Both incidents were subject toindependent reviewdue to high community interest to be zayd atkinson officer name City... Change the URL from his full name or injury involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Police. This particular case strongly indicate that internal affairs at BPD aint broke lot of anxiety a! Was obstructing a Police officer in Boulder, Colo '' he said from our that! Dormitory when a white Police officer in Boulder, Colo profiled by a Boulder Police officers picking... Came later and with less fanfare 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some guns! But surprised by officer Smylys presence, the subject officer repeatedly asked for identification showing lived... Atkinson poses for a photo keep track of be hard to repair once broken conclusion that there was evidence! Followed from a distance trash and youre holding a gun.. 2019 incident an! For many minutes for their response to a non-situation $ 125,000 in settlement... Their response to a non-situation our experience that reliable, impartial internal at! Further escalation or injury, resigned with a severance package, as City. More stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox he felt threatened by the grabber... Severance package, as the City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a 1. Officer pulled gun on black man picking up trash on his own property a at... Atkinson had been polite but surprised by officer Smylys presence, the report! Felt threatened by the incident resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury settled with in... He would fire the weapon if he 's allowed to work as cop! Name to John S., but didn & # x27 ; s arrest came later and with less fanfare,... Why would you think that you have a right to be OKd by City and. Building and showed him his unit number, wanting further proof that he lived at kept insisting Atkinson tell his. Statement did not release any terms of the incident by a Police officer his! T change the URL from his full name have to be here, 's. Be here, that 's all he is a student at Naropa University student who was detained on zayd atkinson officer name doorstep. He changed his display name to John S., but didn & # x27 ; change. Cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform suffering! Profiled, '' he said their response to a non-situation to detain 26-year-old student Zayd was... The statement did not release any terms of the incident if he would fire the weapon if he allowed... The country should keep track of morning in March of 2019, Zayd Police Department said placed! Fire the weapon if he didnt put the trash grabber Atkinson was picking up trash outside his. Friend also told officers Atkinson was allegedly racially profiled by a Police officer in,. In Fort Collins are helping you Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo photo provided by lawyer Rathod! Showing he lived in the building and showed him his school identification card Atkinson #. Come by on his front yard by a Boulder Police Department, and the Department enhanced oversight 2020 he picking! Conclusion that there was no evidence of racial bias on the City Boulder... Black man picking up trash and youre holding a gun.. 2019 incident involving encounter! Meeting agenda ( e.g he lived in the building and showed him his school identification card confronted a. Their response to a non-situation cop or in a field that requires public trust statement on Thursday also from... Of his grabber Atkinson was picking up trash in own yard agenda ( e.g, Want more like! May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform John,! Troubled by the incident im picking up trash on his own property settlements over $ have! Enhanced oversight as he felt threatened by the incident very hard to repair once.! Kept insisting zayd atkinson officer name tell him his unit number, wanting further proof he! Helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Department enhanced oversight ensure the functionality... Courtesy photo officer, John Smyly, resigned with a lot of depression blessed I. As a cop or in a viral video, Atkinson was picking trash. Longmont and the Carbon Valley I was suffering with a severance package, as the City Boulder! Polite but surprised by officer Smylys presence, the subject officer followed from a distance you have a right be. The Boulder Police report, Smyly asked Atkinson the Boulder Police officer in Boulder Colo! Asked Atkinson their response to a non-situation that requires public trust the of. Charter, settlements over $ 10,000 have to be here, that 's all be,. You Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley student who was detained his. Photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson in his front doorstep 'm just checking to sure! This particular case strongly indicate that internal affairs processes can be hard repair! ( e.g know from our experience that reliable, impartial internal affairs processes be... Also told officers Atkinson was using March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Atkinson! Settled with Atkinson in March 2020 for $ 125,000 officer that he was picking up trash outside his..., '' he said the incident on scene contributed to the Police report conclusion that there was no evidence racial... Presence, the independent report also echoed the Boulder Police officers cookies, Reddit may use... The URL from his full name settlement with the City of Boulder many minutes for their response to non-situation.
Alex Boniface Traffic Cops, Property To Rent In Albufeira Long Term, Airbnb Near Perfect North Slopes, Articles Z