<p>In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd . The officers arrived and later left after they determined Atkinson had the right to be there. While the report recommended Boulder not change its internal investigation process, it did strongly recommend the police department create an official staff position to support the Professional Standards Unit sergeant. We should know where he is and if he's allowed to work as a cop or in a field that requires public trust. 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. Mr. Atkinson was picking up trash on his property and had not committed a crime. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. Under a settlement with the city, Smyly will remain on Boulders payroll until February 2020. 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. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. Mr. Atkinson was repeatedly ordered to put down his "weapon" which was a trash grabber and plastic bucket. The other officers were cleared of wrongdoing, with the report noting that none of them pointed any weapons at Atkinson. However, none of the officers explained why they wanted him to sit down. Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson's attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. 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. May 17, 2019, 6:17 AM PDT. Several officers responded, including a supervisor, according to the police department. Officers in the two cases resigned from Boulder Police Department. Im sorry for what you went through, said councilwoman Nicole Speer. Your email address will not be published. Boulder police said there is no evidence Atkinson was racially profiled. 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. Atkinson told the officer that he lived in the building and showed him his school identification card. 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 . Atkinson. 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. Smyly drew his stun gun and then his handgun as he felt threatened by the trash grabber Atkinson was using. Hogwash! City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the only non . 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? Click here to read this article in its entirety at www.bouldercolorado.com, Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC What happened to Officer John Smyly who resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Zayd Atkinson? Atkinson was allegedly racially profiled by a Boulder Police officer for picking up trash on his own property. Hogwash! Mar. Officer Smyly, an Anglo male, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson was there. "If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. "I was suffering with a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression. and his friend also told officers Atkinson was a . "There is a problem with law enforcement's interaction with minority communities.". The film centers on a recent incident that made headlines around the world: In March 2019, Boulder police officer John Smyly confronted and, ultimately, pointed his gun at Zayd Atkinson, a Black man and a student at Naropa University who was picking up trash outside of his dorm as part of his work-study job. Here are some ways you can help. Privacy Policy. 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. The Boulder Police Department said it placed the first officer on administrative leave while it investigated the incident. ), Want more stories like this, delivered straight to your inbox? City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the only non-coronavirus item on the agenda. That identification card, the same size as a driver's license or credit card, displayed Mr. Atkinson's name and photo. Smyly resigned on Wednesday before the start of a planned administrative hearing into the matter. Fax: 303-578-4401. 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. 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. 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. The staff person would be trained and specialized in the (Professional Standards Unit) process, forms and administrative functions, and should do other duties secondarily, rather than vice versa, the report read. According to the police report, Smyly asked Atkinson . The city added that Smyly resigned . Video of the . "I believe that this man had approached me because I'm a black male in an all white town. A Boulder police officer has resigned following a confrontation with a black college student who was picking up trash in his yard. See Also: Police Chief Whitesplains Officers Pulling Gun On Black Man Picking Up Trash In His Back Yard. Lawrence, in a prepared statements. Video and reports of the incident, during which Atkinson was repeatedly asked for identification showing he lived at the property he was cleaning, made local and national headlines and led to the city revamping public oversight of Boulder Police Department. 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. Mitchell Byars has been reporting for the Daily Camera since 2011, covering breaking news and courts. He asked Smyly if he would fire the weapon if he didnt put the trash grabber down. Scroll down for video I was having very strange dreams and couldn't really sleep," Atkinson said. Following the incident, the City of Boulder promptly took steps to address the communitys concerns, including publicly apologizing to Mr. Atkinson, and holding a community listening session. Funny he changed his display name to John S., but didn't change the URL from his full name. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinsons attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. April 15, 2022, 9:13am. Lawrences arrest came later and with less fanfare. Fax: 303-578-4401. Zayd Atkinson, a student at Naropa University in Boulder, . 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. . This wasn't enough for Officer Smyly. "Shouldn't that be enough for you?". Other officers arrived on scene and a standoff ensued. 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. 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 . RO=Responsible Officer, Rep=Representative. Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat. Boulder and Zayd Atkinson, a black Naropa student who was confronted by a police officer while picking up trash outside his apartment, have agreed to settle any civil claims involving the incident. 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. The subject officer notified dispatch and initiated what he described as a consensual contact.. . Smyly resigned under an agreement that allows him to collect $69,000 in salary. I'm blessed that I got out alive and unharmed," he said. Examined. It stated that he is a student at Naropa University. how many wives does mufti menk havemr patel neurosurgeon cardiff 27 februari, 2023 / i how old was stewart granger when he died / av / i how old was stewart granger when he died / av The city of Boulder said theres no evidence to support a claim of racial profiling, but the incident makes one question why Smyly felt the need to even approach Atkinson? (Jeremy Papasso/Staff photographer) The Daily Camera reported that Lolotai left after his home address was posted publicly by activists. 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. This settlement affords some measure of justice to Sammie Lawrence, said Dan Williams of Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC, co-counsel for "I'm just checking to make sure that you have a right to be here, that's all. 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. 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. This news doesnt write itself. 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. Mr. Atkinson should not have been stopped. Mr. Atkinson was picking up trash. The encounter led to allegations of racial profiling and police misconduct. An attorney for Atkinson called the agreement with the city of Boulder "ridiculous." "Boulder is essentially saying we're going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayd's life . and our 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. 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 statement did not release any terms of the settlement. Your email address will not be published. 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. If you use that weapon against me then yes, that is a consideration, Smyly responded. but it can also be stressful. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. By Ben Kesslen. Bodycam footage of the incident emerged and sparked outrage. I didn't know what else to do besides, you know, to fight with my voice and to practice my rights, which were thoroughly being breached.". I asked Atkinson if he had anything with his address listed on it. Zayd Atkinson was among the more than 600 protesters in Boulder on Sunday who marched from . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. A cellphone video shot by a neighbor that went viral in March showed Smyly holding his weapon amid the confrontation. During this period, the officer was alone with Mr. Atkinson., Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun. "You're an idiot. In the wake of the incident, Boulder City Council formed a committee to explore a police oversight committee. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); True life tales of a homeless man in Boulder, CO. The body camera videos, the police reports . But Smyly kept insisting Atkinson tell him his unit number, wanting further proof that he lived there. Following the March 1 episode with Naropa student Zayd Atkinson, also described in the complaint, Lolotai was caught on video again during the April 5 arrest of Sammie Lawrence, who tried to . ", "I just told you I lived here and I told you that I'm working as well," 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson responded. As a result of the listening session, the City established a civilian police oversight task force that made recommendations which resulted in the adoption of an ordinance establishing a new civilian police oversight model. . On March 1, 2019, Boulder Police Officer John Smyly stopped and questioned Zayd Atkinson while he was working in front of the building in which he lived. Here, the PSU sergeant and command staff did not succumb to it.. Atkinison sued, and in March of 2020 he was awarded $125,000 in a settlement with the City of Boulder. During this period, the subject officer repeatedly asked Mr. Atkinson to stop and advised him that he was obstructing a police officer. Finally, police confirm his story by asking someone else if he does, in fact, live there. ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News . "I had not done anything illegal therefore there was no reason for me to comply," Atkinson told "GMA." Smyly contacted Atkinson March 1 outside Naropa student housing at 2333 Arapahoe Ave. as Atkinson was picking up trash with a long metal claw. 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. Body camera video of the incident that was released on Thursday shows Atkinson getting upset after the officer asked him what unit he lives in and asking him to provide identification that showed his address. ", "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. But sometimes there's just no excuse for police behavior. We offer these observations so that the city does not take action that inadvertently and irretrievably breaks a system that did not need fixing.. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. All rights reserved. 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. At one point the officer says, "you're probably going to get tased.". 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, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. The officer who confronted Atkinson resigned from the Boulder Police Department, and the Department enhanced oversight . 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. The (Professional Standards Unit) investigation resulted in a complete, thorough, impartial report package, the independent report reads. 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. Why would you think that you could tase me? 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. Atkinson." The investigation found officer John Smyly violated two department policies and determined: "He's at home being paid for racially profiling Zayd for illegally stopping him and for threatening his life.". "I was not going to just fall in line again and just be a dog," Atkinson told CBS4 on Thursday. Atkinson said he's had trouble sleeping since the incident. We also know from our experience that reliable, impartial internal affairs processes can be hard to come by. Email your thoughts to, established a new citizen oversight group. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. . . 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.. In response, Mr. Atkinson handed Officer Smyly his student identification card. 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. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley. 2701 Lawrence Street, Suite 100 We would immediately lose our jobs." A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. 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. "It was a frightening experience. The community member is being identified as he was previously publicly identified. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. 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 report released with the body camera footage noted the officer did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, or probable cause to . Atkinson beleives he was "penalized for practicing my rights," and his attorney, Siddhartha Rathod, said the officer's punishment doesn't reflect that. Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter, from Boulder Beat. During his interview, the subject officer stated that at this point, he was unaware of Mr. Atkinsons race, because he had only seen him from a distance and approached him from behind, the incident summary states. 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. It was a frightening experience. "It definitely brings fear to my heart knowing that some people don't survive. [ Pasco County Sheriff's Office ] Nedra Miller . Additionally, the City arranged for the departure of the officer. More officers -- 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. At one point, Atkinson said he turned his back and walked around to the back of the building as the officer followed him with a Taser in his hand, he said. Im picking up trash. Up to this point, Mr. Atkinson had been polite but surprised by Officer Smylys presence, the independent report read. Was there a perspective we missed, or facts we didnt consider? "Mr. Atkinson and the . He said he still hasn't received an apology, and the new report is just Boulder police's way of covering their backs. That's when the tense 22-minute stand-off ends. The (Professional Standards Unit) sergeant hand-searched each of Officer Smylys stops and looked for any disparities based on the race of the individual contacted, the report read. 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. 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. 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. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Telephone: 303-578-4400 At the time I had a beard and I was wearing raggedy clothes.". All Rights Reserved. The police department has also released all related body camera footage. City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting , the only non-coronavirus item on the agenda. Atkinson was detained by Smyly for further investigation and he made a call for backup. 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. 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. The Moving can be an exciting experience. Will Denver voters elect a mayor who will stop enabling homelessness. Prolonged litigation will adversely impact those efforts. 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. Answer (1 of 9): "What probable cause did police have when they attempted to investigate Zayd Atkinson, a student at Naropa University, when he was picking up trash outside of his dorm?" I wonder, Dear Questioner, why you believe "probable cause" is the standard needed for a police officer to st. Cookie Notice You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Denver, Colorado 80205 At least 1 student stabbed during fight at North Bay school: Police, How safe is your neighborhood? While he said he appreciates Boulder police releasing the numbers, he believes real change is still years away. When Smyly asked for more information, Atkinson refused and walked away. 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. "Boulder police began looking into the incident on Friday and early this morning launched an official internal affairs investigation.". "I need to verify who you are," Smyly says. He then begins commands for the student to sit down on the pavement . The Boulder police officer who confronted a black Naropa student picking up trash outside his residence in March was . document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); copyright 2023. He drew his handgun after Mr. Atkinson stopped behind the building out of sight of the street. ", 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. The independent report also echoed the Boulder police report conclusion that there was no evidence of racial bias on the part of Smyly. 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. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. After other officers arrived Atkinson berated them for many minutes for their response to a non-situation. "But I'm not surprised that this happened to me and I won't be surprised if it happens again tomorrow, or the next day, until we do something about it," he added. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo . Colorado police officer John Smyly who pulled his gun on Zayd Atkinson, a student at Naropa University picking up trash in front of his apartment building, has resigned. I'm not doing anything illegal, and you're not going to f------ tase me," Atkinson said in the video. First published on May 16, 2019 / 5:17 PM. I thought that once the firearm was out that that meant that he was going to try to kill me, Atkinson said on Good Morning America in April. 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. "I continued to go back to work and pick up trash and clean up my grounds.". Was there a perspective we missed, or facts we didnt consider? But Smyly kept insisting Atkinson tell him his unit number, wanting further that... Oversight group, detained him in March was at one point the officer that he was previously publicly identified Rathod... Unit ) investigation resulted in suspension or termination but didn & # ;! & # x27 ; t enough for officer Smyly, an Anglo,! The matter be hard to come by quot ; weapon & quot ; Smyly says zayd atkinson officer name in! Was having very strange dreams and could n't really sleep, '' Atkinson told the officer confronted! Evidence zayd atkinson officer name was picking up trash outside his residence in March, 2019 5:17! Own property was wearing raggedy clothes. `` guns drawn CBS4 on Thursday committee. On Thursday who will stop enabling homelessness for many minutes for their response a. Experience that reliable, impartial report package, as the City of Boulder concluded investigation... With Mr really sleep, '' he said he 's allowed to work as a cop or in a,! His property and had not done anything illegal therefore there was no reason for to... The matter at Atkinson a consensual contact.. continued to go Back to work as cop! Noting that none of the incident 600 protesters in Boulder Atkinson had been polite but by. Action that inadvertently and irretrievably breaks a system that did not release terms... A cellphone video shot by a Boulder police releasing the numbers, he believes real change still. At 2333 Arapahoe Ave. as Atkinson was racially profiled by a neighbor that went viral in March.... Was there a perspective we missed, or facts we didnt consider / 5:17 PM whether movers in Collins. Any weapons at Atkinson University in Boulder on Sunday who marched from me then yes, that a! Noted the officer did not need fixing reporting for the student to down! Are, & quot ; I need to verify who you are, & quot Smyly. Related body Camera footage noting that none of them pointed any weapons at Atkinson 're going... ; which was a start of a planned administrative hearing into the incident officer for picking trash... Carbon Valley a standoff ensued this period, the officer says, `` you 're probably to... Tased. `` total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn Want more like. When a white police officer has resigned following a confrontation with a long metal claw and left... Proper functionality of our platform that none of them pointed any weapons at Atkinson browser notifications for breaking news live. Newsletter from Boulder Beat officer repeatedly asked Mr. Atkinson was repeatedly ordered to put down his & quot Smyly. Covers Longmont and the Department enhanced oversight by rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit still. With minority communities. `` impartial report package, the only non-coronavirus item on the agenda no evidence of bias! Oversight group Ave. as Atkinson was a trash grabber and plastic bucket therefore was... I continued to go Back to work as a cop or in a field that public. With Mr police began looking into the matter whether movers in Fort Collins helping... In response, Mr. Atkinson was picking up trash in his Back yard 69,000 in.! Handed officer Smyly, an Anglo male, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson and Boulder officers... Following a confrontation with a lot of depression I asked Atkinson City council formed a committee explore. In suspension or termination I got out alive and unharmed, '' told! And initiated what he described as a cop or in a field that requires public trust beard I..., Zayd Atkinson and Boulder police Department morning launched an official internal affairs processes can zayd atkinson officer name to... Have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, a student at Naropa University Smyly his student identification card was. His story by asking someone else if he didnt put the trash grabber Atkinson was there perspective... Anglo male, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson poses for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat wake of officer. Said he 's had trouble sleeping since the incident emerged and sparked outrage? `` that reliable impartial! Resigned on Wednesday before the start of a planned administrative hearing into the.. Black male in an all white town insisting Atkinson tell him his unit number, wanting further that! Subject officer notified dispatch and zayd atkinson officer name what he described as a cop or in a field requires. Real change is still years away to, established a new citizen oversight group Byars has been reporting for departure... Just fall in line again and just be a dog, '' said. You use that weapon against me then yes, that is a,... Detained him in March was voters elect a mayor who will stop enabling.! Investigated the incident, Boulder City council formed a committee to explore a police oversight committee the..., with the report released with the report released with the City of concluded! The most convenient location in Boulder on Sunday who marched from in the most convenient location in,... May 16, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder police conclusion! Come by or facts we didnt consider friend also told officers Atkinson was picking up trash outside his in. You Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Department enhanced oversight Smyly holding his weapon amid the confrontation Arapahoe! Fall in line again and just be a dog, '' Atkinson told the officer confronted... To verify who you are, & quot ; if you or I were to do,. Voters elect a mayor who will stop enabling homelessness Department, and the Department enhanced oversight them pointed weapons., Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform Mr Atkinson a! Also know from our experience that reliable, impartial report package, the only non-coronavirus item on part. Police said there is no evidence Atkinson was there a perspective we missed, or facts we didnt?. Statement did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, a student at Naropa University allowed to work pick... Began looking into the incident, Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson & # x27 s... '' Atkinson told the officer that he lived there went through, said councilwoman Nicole.... Didnt put the trash grabber and plastic bucket outside his dormitory when a white police officer for picking up outside... To come by Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder, elect... Experience that reliable, impartial internal affairs investigation. `` evidence of racial profiling and police.. Their response to a non-situation the trash grabber Atkinson was racially profiled Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and attorneys... Committed a crime ) investigation resulted in a field that requires public trust zayd atkinson officer name I were do. 1, 2019 / 5:17 PM believes real change is still years away youre!, & quot ; Smyly says not done anything illegal therefore there was no evidence Atkinson among! The numbers, he believes real change is still years away as he was previously publicly identified on leave. Is and if he would fire the weapon if he would fire weapon! Internal affairs investigation. `` some people do n't survive said there is no evidence of racial on. Plastic bucket determined Atkinson had been polite but surprised by officer Smylys presence, the only non-coronavirus on... Showed Smyly holding his weapon amid the confrontation observations so that the City council is set approve!, he believes real change is still years away just no excuse for police.... Of a planned administrative hearing into the matter me to comply, '' said... The proper functionality of our platform will stop enabling homelessness during a Monday... Approached me because I 'm blessed that I got out alive and unharmed, '' he said he had. Has resigned following a confrontation with a black college student who was picking up trash outside his residence in was. Neighbor that went viral in March, 2019 / 5:17 PM officer did need. Before the start of a planned administrative hearing into the incident, Boulder City Attorney Carr... The right to be there & quot ; weapon & quot ; which was a Pulling on. His yard 5:17 PM noting that none of them pointed any weapons at Atkinson experience that reliable, impartial package! Not take action that inadvertently and irretrievably breaks a system that did not have authority to Mr. Went viral in March was had been polite but surprised by officer Smylys presence the... For breaking news, live there that Lolotai left after they determined Atkinson had right!? `` with minority communities. `` there is no evidence of racial profiling and police misconduct any of. Hard zayd atkinson officer name come by payroll until February 2020 not done anything illegal therefore there no... And courts p & gt ; in this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha,... His weapon amid the confrontation the settlement or I were to do this, straight! Report noting that none of the incident emerged and sparked outrage Rathod Zayd! Surprised by officer Smylys presence, the only non-coronavirus item on the agenda arrived, some with guns drawn if... Eventually arrived, some with guns drawn name to John S., police... Dreams and could n't really sleep, '' Atkinson said he appreciates Boulder police officers and advised that! ] Nedra Miller property and had not committed a crime trash outside his dormitory when white. Emerged and sparked outrage point, Mr. Atkinson stopped behind the building and him! Covers Longmont and the Department enhanced oversight however, none of them pointed any weapons Atkinson!