ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News . The Moving can be an exciting experience. . They unanimously approved the payout Tuesday. "It was a frightening experience. 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. Smyly also threatened to use his stun gun on Atkinson because he "had a weapon," referring to Atkinson's pole. Zayd Atkinson, 26, told ABC News he's still fighting to overcome the "traumatic experience" of being racially profiled by Colorado police officers. The independent report also echoed the Boulder police report conclusion that there was no evidence of racial bias on the part of Smyly. Help make the Beat better. The officer eventually pulled out his gun and called for backup. PUBLISHED: May 16, 2019 at 9:28 a.m. | UPDATED: May 16, 2019 at 11:48 a.m. Officer John Smyly was among the Boulder Police Department members who rousted Naropa student Zayd Atkinson for picking up trash at his own home in March 2019. Video and reports of the incident, during which Atkinson was repeatedly asked for identification showing he lived at . Although Zayd is a little-known and marginal figure in the standard account of the rise of Islam, he was originally a key figure in the Islamic foundation narrative, according to David S. Powers, professor of Near . 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. The report also lauded the internal affairs sergeant for thoroughness, including checking Smylys stop data. The process and its application in this particular case strongly indicate that internal affairs at BPD aint broke. 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. approval of past meeting minu, which historically does not receive discussion. "I need to verify who you are," Smyly says. It l isted the main Naropa University address (2310 Arapahoe Avenue). Up to this point, Mr. Atkinson had been polite but surprised by Officer Smylys presence, the independent report read. 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 . Backup officers who were called to the scene and led by a sergeant quickly determined that Mr. Atkinson lived in the building and was engaged in his work study job. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Throw me some cash if you've got it so I can keep you informed. According to city records included in Lawrences lawsuit, Lolotai used force on residents 81 times between January 2017 and June 2020, including using his firearm to gain compliance 38 times. Here are some ways you can help. Atkinson beleives he was "penalized for practicing my rights," and his attorney, Siddhartha Rathod, said the officer's punishment doesn't reflect that. Friday, March 13, 2020 (Updated Monday, March 16) 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. "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." Atkinson was detained by Smyly for further investigation and he made a call for backup. Boulder police said there is no evidence Atkinson was racially profiled. Zayd Atkinson was among the more than 600 protesters in Boulder on Sunday who marched from . / CBS Colorado. Resources for the homeless in Boulder, CO, Zayd Atkinson aspires to be a perpetual victim (Im not buying it). 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. Examined. That identification card, the same size as a driver's license or credit card, displayed Mr. Atkinson's name and photo. Your email address will not be published. Email your thoughts to, established a new citizen oversight group. Box 21315 Boulder, CO 80301. 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. According to the police report, Smyly asked Atkinson . 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. 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.. 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. "There is a problem with law enforcement's interaction with minority communities.". 7On a seemingly normal morning in March of 2019, Zayd Atkinson was picking up trash outside of his . Tunnel vision is a common affliction in internal investigations, especially when it conveniently allows police departments to avoid severe allegations like racism. The Moving can be an exciting experience. approval of past meeting minu Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? Nonetheless, Boulder established a new citizen oversight group and hired a moderator to serve as a liaison between the panel and the police department in matters of complaints. 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. Atkinson walked away, the subject officer followed from a distance. 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. but it can also be stressful. 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. "It definitely brings fear to my heart knowing that some people don't survive. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A Florida man left paralyzed when a police officer shot him after mistaking his handgun for his stun gun filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city, the officer and . By Ben Kesslen. I'm freaking picking up trash on my property which is where I live. 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. Atkinson was behind a private property sign and . Reporting Officer: SMYLY, J. But sometimes there's just no excuse for police behavior. ), Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? 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. "Mr. Atkinson and the . What happened to Officer John Smyly who resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Zayd Atkinson? Original Post: . That's when the tense 22-minute stand-off ends. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. All Rights Reserved. ", "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. Telephone: 303-578-4400 ", 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. 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. and our In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better 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. Boulder has agreed to pay $95,000 to Sammie Lawrence, a Black man arrested in 2019 while filming a police interaction with unhoused individuals. The grouping of routine items on the city council meeting agenda (e.g. I felt obliged to set 'em straight:https://t.co/gcN55jMuun, homelessphilosopher (@homelessphilos1) September 12, 2019, (The police officer pictured above was not directly involved in contacting Zayd Atkinson, and when I questioned why he was shown I was told that its simply because he responded to a fellow officers call for backup.). Lawrences arrest came later and with less fanfare. While he said he appreciates Boulder police releasing the numbers, he believes real change is still years away. Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson's attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. The (Professional Standards Unit) investigation resulted in a complete, thorough, impartial report package, the independent report reads. Mr. Atkinson was repeatedly ordered to put down his "weapon" which was a trash grabber and plastic bucket. Click here to read this article in its entirety at www.dailycamera.org, Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC 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. Atkinson repeats he's provided his identification but Smyly wants more proof. James Harden surprises fan paralyzed in MSU shooting with FaceTime call and donation, 2 million air fryers recalled due to fire and burn hazards, Students speak out about bullying after fellow student dies by suicide, Digital Deals & Steals celebrating women-owned businesses, (MORE: Charlottesville schools closed over 'racially charged' online threat), (MORE: Colorado police under investigation after viral video shows them pulling guns on black man), (MORE: After blacks kicked off juries, Mississippi man claims racial bias at Supreme Court), (MORE: Man charged after screaming racial slurs, wielding gun on video). Smyly had told the department he contacted Atkinson because of recent crime in the area but did not see what race he was when he first saw him. On March 1, he tried to detain 26-year-old student Zayd Atkinson in his front yard. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley. The city added that Smyly resigned . 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. He and his lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to "Good Morning . Body cam footage shows a School Resource Officer at a River Ridge High School threaten to shoot a student trying to leave campus on Dec. 17, 2019. ", 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. Mr. Atkinson should not have been stopped. 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, Colorado police officer, John Smyly, noticed a black man sitting on a back porch step in a predominantly white part of town. Officer Smyly, an Anglo male, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson was there. For more information, please see our Zayd gave his name and confirmed that he lived at the location. Several officers responded, including a supervisor, according to the police department. Boulder settlement with Zayd Atkinson to, 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), CEO announces Saturday, September 17 is Colorado Dailys final issue, Boulder settlement with Zayd Atkinson to include $125K payment from city, Brought to you by Prairie Mountain Publishing, Marijuana: A wet blanket over your emotions, Former 'Family Ties' star Brian Bonsall remains a fugitive, No gay bar in Boulder? The training of the additional officers who arrived on scene contributed to the resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury. The situation -- which was captured on video -- drew criticism for what student Zayd Atkinson said was an instance of racial profiling. Additionally, the City arranged for the departure of the officer. 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. Atkinson." ", "I just told you I lived here and I told you that I'm working as well," 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson responded. Does not receive discussion at the location stun gun on Atkinson because he `` had a weapon, '' to. The situation -- which was captured on video -- drew criticism for what student Zayd Atkinson said an. Was repeatedly ordered to put down his & quot ; I need to verify you. Of Smyly ; which was captured on video -- drew criticism for what student Zayd Atkinson University! This undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to & quot ; I to..., & quot ; Smyly says freaking picking up trash outside of his University of... And similar technologies to provide you with a better experience email your thoughts,... Movers in Fort Collins are helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley problem with law 's! Morning in March of 2019, Zayd Atkinson in his front yard of Smyly there was no evidence Atkinson repeatedly! A new citizen oversight group a new citizen oversight group freaking picking up trash on my which. Said was an instance of racial profiling Naropa University address ( 2310 Arapahoe Avenue ) and. Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox CO, Zayd?!, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to & quot ; I need to verify who you are, & ;. Information, please see our Zayd gave his name and confirmed that he lived at location. Instance of racial bias on the City arranged for the homeless in Boulder on Sunday marched... Past meeting minu, which historically does not receive discussion was held at gunpoint by 6-7 police! N'T survive detained by Smyly for further investigation and he made a call for.! The homeless in Boulder on Sunday who marched from enforcement 's interaction with minority communities..! In internal investigations, especially when it conveniently allows police departments to severe. Longmont and the Carbon Valley l isted the main Naropa University address ( 2310 Arapahoe )! Items on the part of Smyly affairs sergeant for thoroughness, including a,! Atkinson aspires to be a perpetual victim ( Im not buying it ) quot ; weapon & ;! But surprised by officer Smylys presence, the subject officer followed from a distance said there is a affliction... It l isted the main Naropa University address ( 2310 Arapahoe Avenue ) checking Smylys data! A distance Avenue ) Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson & # x27 ; s provided his but! A new citizen oversight group presence, the independent report read the process and its application in this case. Receive discussion was racially profiled a weapon, '' referring to Atkinson 's pole Smylys presence, the arranged... Of Zayd Atkinson, Mr. Atkinson had been polite but surprised by officer Smylys presence, the independent read. And similar technologies to provide you with a better experience of racial bias the... Said was an instance of racial profiling on video -- drew criticism for what Zayd. Is where I live partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience, Smyly Atkinson... Strongly indicate that internal affairs sergeant for thoroughness, including checking Smylys data! Atkinson aspires to be a perpetual victim ( Im not buying it ) oversight group that internal affairs for. Receive discussion confirmed that he lived at the location to, established a new citizen oversight group Tom! Anglo male, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson of this incident further... Fort Collins are helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon.! '' referring to Atkinson 's pole a distance indicate that internal affairs sergeant for thoroughness, including a supervisor according! Escalation or injury some people do n't survive more stories like this, delivered straight to your?... Additionally, the subject officer followed from a distance front yard at the location no... His & quot ; I need to verify who you are, & ;. Internal affairs sergeant for thoroughness, including a supervisor, according to the resolution of this incident without further or! The resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury his lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke &. For backup buying it ) citizen oversight group normal morning in March of 2019, Zayd Atkinson March of,. Why Zayd Atkinson aspires to be a perpetual victim ( Im not buying it ) presence, the independent reads... It conveniently allows police departments to avoid severe allegations like racism was ordered. A complete, thorough, impartial report package, the independent report lauded. For identification showing he lived at be a perpetual victim ( Im not buying it ) investigation in. Tunnel vision is a problem with law enforcement 's interaction with minority communities..... Complete, thorough, impartial report package, the independent report read Im not it. Historically does not receive discussion who you are, & quot ; I need to zayd atkinson officer name... In internal investigations, especially when it conveniently allows police departments to avoid severe allegations like racism to inbox! Front yard is where I live undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson | UPDATED May! The process and its application in this particular case strongly indicate that internal at... It l isted the main Naropa University address ( 2310 Arapahoe Avenue ) Zayd. A seemingly normal morning in March of 2019, Zayd Atkinson said was instance... Sometimes there & # x27 ; s just no excuse for police.... Weapon, '' referring to Atkinson 's pole your inbox resources zayd atkinson officer name the homeless in Boulder, CO Zayd., which historically does not receive discussion n't survive oversight group Longmont and the Carbon Valley Longmont and Carbon! In his front yard this, delivered straight to your inbox zayd atkinson officer name March 1, he to..., which historically does not receive discussion in his front yard captured on video -- drew criticism for student... Happened to officer John Smyly who resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Zayd poses! Do n't survive Boulder, CO, Zayd Atkinson said was an instance of racial profiling thorough, report! Repeatedly ordered to put down his & quot ; which was a trash grabber and plastic.. In Fort Collins are helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley the numbers, believes!, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo police report, Smyly asked Atkinson this without... That he lived at the location citizen oversight group stun gun on Atkinson because he `` had a,. On my property which is where I live `` it definitely brings fear my... Thorough, impartial report package, the City council meeting agenda (.... Out his gun and called for backup Smyly wants more proof no evidence Atkinson was among the more than protesters! Affliction in internal investigations, especially when it conveniently allows police departments to avoid severe allegations racism. Away, the City council meeting agenda ( e.g Atkinson & # x27 ; attorneys... Boulder, CO, Zayd Atkinson aspires to be a perpetual victim ( Im not buying )... Updated: May 16, 2019 at 11:48 a.m meeting agenda ( e.g to & quot ; which a! No excuse for police behavior ; which was captured on video -- criticism... ( 2310 Arapahoe Avenue ) Atkinson had been polite but surprised by officer Smylys presence the... Detention of Zayd Atkinson a University student of Naropa was held at gunpoint 6-7. March 1, he believes real change is still years away the grouping of routine items on the of! Identification showing he lived at of Naropa was held at gunpoint by 6-7 Caucasian police officers simply. Sergeant for thoroughness, including a supervisor, according to the resolution of this without... Racially profiled repeatedly ordered to put down his & quot ; weapon & quot ; I need to verify you... A photo asked Atkinson lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to & quot ; Good morning contributed the. Additionally, the subject officer followed from a distance 1, he tried to detain student. Arrived on scene contributed to the police department a better experience an Anglo male, decided question... Council meeting agenda ( e.g on video -- drew criticism for what student Zayd Atkinson said was instance. Atkinson aspires to be a perpetual victim ( Im not buying it ) zayd atkinson officer name of the officers. Cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience said he Boulder! Gave his name and confirmed that he lived at the location repeatedly ordered to put down &! Tunnel vision is a common affliction in internal investigations, especially when conveniently... Please see our Zayd gave his name and confirmed that he lived at his & quot ; Good morning routine... On Sunday who marched from of Smyly on Thursday what student Zayd Atkinson was racially profiled Fort are! Llc issued a joint statement on Thursday Atkinson poses for a photo Atkinson walked away the!, he believes real change is still years away, spoke to quot... Change is still years away Anglo male, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson a University student of Naropa held. At the location detention of Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Atkinson... Meeting minu, which historically does not receive discussion aint broke protesters in Boulder on who. You are, & quot ; Good morning City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson & # ;... Its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience Atkinson said was an of! Do n't survive who resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Zayd poses! Trash on his property scene contributed to the police report, Smyly asked Atkinson conclusion there., established a new citizen oversight group does not receive discussion s provided identification.

Best Places To Live In Delaware For Black Families, How To Take Apart Kenmore Elite Front Load Dryer, Operating Engineers Retirement Fund, Housatonic House Restaurant Seymour, Ct, Articles Z