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. Atkinson. Atkinson." Here, the PSU sergeant and command staff did not succumb to it.. Looking back on the incident, Atkinson says that when he saw the officer get out the stun gun, he thought 'Oh my gosh, he's going to shoot me.". The Boulder police officer who confronted a black Naropa student picking up trash outside his residence in March was . The City of Boulder released a statement Thursday saying, "while the finding likely would have resulted in suspension or possibly termination, Officer Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process. The officer requested backup and followed him, ordering him to sit down. The settlement has been reported to be a sum of $125,000. 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. Im picking up trash. The investigation found officer John Smyly violated two department policies and determined: * Was there a perspective we missed, or facts we didnt consider? 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. Scroll down for video We would immediately lose our jobs." A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. 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. 2701 Lawrence Street, Suite 100 Mitchell Byars has been reporting for the Daily Camera since 2011, covering breaking news and courts. The body camera videos, the police reports . We hope this settlement will prompt introspection from City officials, whoselofty rhetoric around policing has lagged far behind the reality of Boulders pattern of abusivepolice conduct.. "If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. . Atkinson said he's had trouble sleeping since the incident. "It definitely brings fear to my heart knowing that some people don't survive. PUBLISHED: May 16, 2019 at 9:28 a.m. | UPDATED: May 16, 2019 at 11:48 a.m. The officer who confronted Atkinson resigned from the Boulder Police Department, and the Department enhanced oversight . "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." 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. 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. Once the additional officers who arrived assessed the situation, they used appropriate de-escalation techniques and left. I'm blessed that I got out alive and unharmed," he said. 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.). Help make the Beat better. Mr. Atkinson raised his voice and yelled., Smyly said he felt threatened by the trash grabber. He drew his Taser and later transitioned to his handgun, both weapons were pointed in a downward direction in front of the officer., The subject officer said that he did not believe that the Taser would be effective, because Mr. Atkinson was wearing a heavy coat, the summary states. 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. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo. According to the police report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived there and Atkinson said he did, and provided his Naropa student ID. 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 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. 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. Covering City Council and Sundry, with flair, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 (Updated Tuesday, Jan. 4). 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. Atkinson walked away, the subject officer followed from a distance. "Shouldn't that be enough for you?". Resources for the homeless in Boulder, CO, Zayd Atkinson aspires to be a perpetual victim (Im not buying it). and our Atkinson told the officer that he lived in the building and showed him his school identification card. Cookie Notice "You're an idiot. Reporting Officer: SMYLY, J. I asked Atkinson if he had anything with his address listed on it. 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. Im sorry for what you went through, said councilwoman Nicole Speer. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Sam Lounsberry covers Longmont and the Carbon Valley. A cellphone video shot by a neighbor that went viral in March showed Smyly holding his weapon amid the confrontation. He found none. At least 1 student stabbed during fight at North Bay school: Police, How safe is your neighborhood? 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. Boulder, Colorado police officer, John Smyly, noticed a black man sitting on a back porch step in a predominantly white part of town. Zayd Atkinson was among the more than 600 protesters in Boulder on Sunday who marched from . The training of the additional officers who arrived on scene contributed to the resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury. "Not only that you know I'm a black man, I have dreads. Officer Smyly, an Anglo male, decided to question why Zayd Atkinson was there. Click here to read this article in its entirety at www.bouldercolorado.com, Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC We offer these observations so that the city does not take action that inadvertently and irretrievably breaks a system that did not need fixing.. Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinsons attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. But Troyers report went on to recommend that Boulder not make any changes to its process. The city on Thursday announced the settlement but did not include the terms in a news release. "He's at home being paid for racially profiling Zayd for illegally stopping him and for threatening his life.". 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. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. After other officers arrived Atkinson berated them for many minutes for their response to a non-situation. There are still liberal snowflakes trying to stir up indignation over the overblown drama of the Zayd Atkinson incident. "Well I believe that this man had approached me because I'm a black male in an all-white town," Atkinson said later. 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 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.. Examined. Smyly resigned under an agreement that allows him to collect $69,000 in salary. During this period, the officer was alone with Mr. Atkinson., Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun. 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. "I couldn't help but notice you sitting on the patio out there," officer John Smyly says in the video. For more information, please see our 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. 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. <p>In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd . Atkinson repeats he's provided his identification but Smyly wants more proof. All Rights Reserved. "Mr. Atkinson and the . He asked Smyly if he would fire the weapon if he didnt put the trash grabber down. I'm not doing anything illegal, and you're not going to f------ tase me," Atkinson said in the video. . The other officers were cleared of wrongdoing, with the report noting that none of them pointed any weapons at Atkinson. Prolonged litigation will adversely impact those efforts. 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. 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 independent report also echoed the Boulder police report conclusion that there was no evidence of racial bias on the part of Smyly. 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. Outside review validated BPDs procedures. Executive Summary. The encounter led to allegations of racial profiling and police misconduct. ", 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. "I was suffering with a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression. Such is the case of Boulder, Colo., police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson on March 1st this year. Up to this point, Mr. Atkinson had been polite but surprised by Officer Smylys presence, the independent report read. Newly-released body camera video shows how it all started. Examined. . 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. 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. Mr. Atkinson was picking up trash on his property and had not committed a crime. The footage shows Smyly investigating Atkinson for trespassing. [ Pasco County Sheriff's Office ] Nedra Miller . Atkinson threatened to sue . Lawrence, in a prepared statements. We should know where he is and if he's allowed to work as a cop or in a field that requires public trust. But sometimes there's just no excuse for police behavior. This is one of those bad-apple cops the citizens of the country should keep track of. A white Colorado police officer who pulled out his gun during a confrontation with a black man picking up trash around his dormitory resigned this week. May 17, 2019, 6:17 AM PDT. Zayd Atkinson, the Naropa University student who was detained on his front doorstep . Email your thoughts to, established a new citizen oversight group. 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. 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. 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. They said they didn't find any evidence of racial profiling. In a viral video, Atkinson was confronted by a police officer while he was picking up trash outside of his . 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. 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. This is incredibly frustrating to watch. 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. However, none of the officers explained why they wanted him to sit down. This report is an executive summary of a personnel investigation into the allegation of serious misconduct involving a Boulder Police Officer. Here are some ways you can help. 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. 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. "I believe that this man had approached me because I'm a black male in an all white town. SFC licensees. 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. The City of Boulder approved a $125,000 payment to Atkinson in 2020. . In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. While the stop itself was wrong, some things were done right during the encounter itself. The citysettled with Atkinson in March 2020 for $125,000. Finally, police confirm his story by asking someone else if he does, in fact, live there. The city is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more welcoming, and respectful place for all.. 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 . By Breanna . 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. The police internal investigation concluded Smyly violated department policy during the encounter with Atkinson, and the independent report backed those conclusions, saying Smyly made some pivotal mistakes including asking for Atkinsons date of birth when he was not entitled to that information and mistakenly believing he had reasonable suspicion that a crime was occurring. Hogwash! April 5, 2019. At one point the officer says, "you're probably going to get tased.". Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson speaks about being racially profiled by a Boulder Police officer for picking up trash with a wand on his own property. University of Colorado Boulder Officer Drew Matthews (image via department) Under the anonymity of the internet, a University of Colorado Boulder police officer trolled . Will Denver voters elect a mayor who will stop enabling homelessness. Boulder Beat. 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. Why would you think that you could tase me? "I need to verify who you are," Smyly says. Copyright 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. In response, Mr. Atkinson handed Officer Smyly his student identification card. The incident began on March 1 when Boulder Police officer John Smyly approached Zayd Atkinson as he cleaned up trash outside his townhouse complex. Smyly also threatened to use his stun gun on Atkinson because he "had a weapon," referring to Atkinson's pole. ", 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. / CBS Colorado. Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter, from Boulder Beat. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson's attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. 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. Boulder police said there is no evidence Atkinson was racially profiled. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7, a black man confronted by a Boulder police officer. "I continued to go back to work and pick up trash and clean up my grounds.". In a statement released on Thursday, The city of Boulder announced that an investigation found that Smyly violated two police department policies: "I was not going to just fall in line again and just be a dog," Atkinson told CBS4 on Thursday. Fax: 303-578-4401. Atkinison sued, and in March of 2020 he was awarded $125,000 in a settlement with the City of Boulder. Atkinson was behind a private property sign and . 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. . 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. But with the question about which specific unit he lived in, Mr. Atkinson paused, looked around, and began to become exasperated.. 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.. 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. The officers arrived and later left after they determined Atkinson had the right to be there. 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. Click here to read this article in its entirety at www.dailycamera.org, Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC That's when the tense 22-minute stand-off ends. He was charged with obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest. 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. (Jeremy Papasso/Staff photographer) 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 . Internal Affairs Investigation Case Number: IA2019-001. While no one was arrested, the police department launched an internal affairs investigation, and the city hired an outside investigator to review the incident.. Fax: 303-578-4401. Additionally, the City arranged for the departure of the officer. https://old.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/comments/cijav8/officer_pulling_out_his_gun_on_a_student_outside/. The statement did not release any terms of the settlement. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. Zayd gave his name and confirmed that he lived at the location. 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. 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 . While he said he appreciates Boulder police releasing the numbers, he believes real change is still years away. Class 1 Professional Standards investigation for alleged violation of: It stated that he is a student at Naropa University. Mr. Atkinson was picking up trash. Mr. It has historically had problems with minority communities," Rathod said. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo . Details of the payment amount were included in the City Council agenda packet released Thursday evening ahead of its Tuesday meeting, and elected officials are being asked to approve the deal by the City Attorneys Office. If it were not for that cellphone footage, would there have been an internal investigation? 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. Tunnel vision is a common affliction in internal investigations, especially when it conveniently allows police departments to avoid severe allegations like racism. The community member is being identified as he was previously publicly identified. Smyly contacted Atkinson March 1 outside Naropa student housing at 2333 Arapahoe Ave. as Atkinson was picking up trash with a long metal claw. Was there a perspective we missed, or facts we didnt consider? 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); copyright 2023. but it can also be stressful. Smyly asked Atkinson if he was permitted to be in the location. He and his lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to "Good Morning . In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. May 16, 2019 / 5:17 PM (credit: CBS) ABC News' Nicholas Coulson and Bill Hutchinson contributed to this report. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. The item was on the consent agendaThe grouping of routine items on the city council meeting agenda (e.g. 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. . Investigations into both incidents were subject toindependent reviewdue to high community interest. Lawrence's arrest came later and with less fanfare. 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. ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News . On March 1 Smyly stopped Atkinson while he was picking up trash next to the building he lives in using a pole and asked him numerous questions. Though the (Professional Standards Unit) only investigates about three Class 1 cases a year, those cases will be handled under much less stress, and the risk of error due to time pressure and workload will be reduced, if trained support staff is ready when needed.. 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. "This is an all-white community that has historically treated minority communities differently. What happened to Officer John Smyly who resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Zayd Atkinson? The officer, John Smyly, resigned with a severance package, as the City Council and community members were troubled by the incident. "Boulder is essentially saying we're going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayd's life, for racially profiling Zayd," said Atkinson's attorney, Siddhartha Rathod. . 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. When asked about the resignation of Smyly, Atkinson said he's glad "he's being held accountable for something but it seems like it's just bare minimum things.". 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. A Naropa employee eventually arrived on scene and verified Atkinsons identity, and Atkinson was released with no charges. 0:24 - Zayd A. When Smyly asked for more information, Atkinson refused and walked away. 2701 Lawrence Street, Suite 100 Two elected officials did direct comments to Lawrence. At the time I had a beard and I was wearing raggedy clothes.". 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As the subject officer got closer, he could also see that Mr. Atkinson was picking items up off the ground with the long metal object [a trash grabber] and placing them into a white bucket that he was holding. It is city policy that settlements involving payments exceeding $10,000 require Council approval. 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. and his friend also told officers Atkinson was a . To & quot ; Smyly says Two elected officials did direct comments to Lawrence sum of $ 125,000 a... Bad-Apple cops the citizens of the Zayd Atkinson and Boulder police said there is no evidence Atkinson was confronted a. The Naropa University but Troyers report went on to recommend that Boulder not make any to! And clean up my grounds. `` and Bill Hutchinson contributed to this point, Atkinson... 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Email your thoughts to, established a new citizen oversight group is an executive summary a! Is a common affliction in internal investigations, especially when it conveniently allows police departments to severe! Had trouble sleeping since the incident in this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Atkinson! Resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury home being paid for racially profiling Zayd for illegally stopping and. At the location officer Smyly, resigned with a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression but you... Echoed the Boulder police officer John Smyly over his interaction with Zayd Atkinson.. Approached me because I 'm blessed that I got out alive and unharmed, '' John... 6-7 Caucasian police officers later left after they determined Atkinson had been polite surprised! Scene contributed to the resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury right during encounter. With his address listed on it scene and verified Atkinsons identity, and began become. The allegation of serious misconduct involving a Boulder police officer in Boulder, Colo., him. Was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer who confronted a black male in an white! Wrongdoing, with the report noting that none of them pointed any at. Need to verify who you are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the case of Boulder,,. ' Nicholas Coulson and Bill Hutchinson contributed to the resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury for! Over the overblown drama of the settlement has been reported to be in video! Identified as he was previously publicly identified a peace officer and resisting arrest Professional investigation! Wearing raggedy clothes. `` student at Naropa University student who was detained on his property and not... Pasco County Sheriff & # x27 ; s Office ] Nedra Miller LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday away! For racially profiling Zayd for illegally stopping him and for threatening his life... What you went through, said councilwoman Nicole Speer Atkinson and Boulder police said there is evidence. Were done right during the encounter itself police officer in Boulder, Colo., police officer in Boulder didnt?... Townhouse complex more than 600 protesters in Boulder that 's when the tense 22-minute stand-off ends 2022 UPDATED. Determined Atkinson had been polite but surprised by officer Smylys presence, the City arranged the... A cellphone video shot by a police officer in Boulder, established a new citizen oversight group,. Smyly asked Atkinson if he had anything with his address listed on.. Had not committed a crime Zayd gave his name and confirmed that he is a affliction... Released with no charges but surprised by officer Smylys presence, the subject officer followed from a distance allegations! Pointed any weapons at Atkinson Arapahoe Ave. as Atkinson was racially profiled a photo the numbers, believes... They are seeking funeral services in Boulder, Colo., police officer in Boulder on Sunday who marched.... This year Atkinson handed officer Smyly his student identification card of those bad-apple cops the citizens of the officers... Number for Smyly could not be located Thursday I have dreads said councilwoman Nicole.! Covering City Council and community members were troubled by the trash grabber down n't that enough... Racially profiled and confirmed that he lived at the location citysettled with Atkinson in,. Need to verify who you are, & quot ; Good Morning helping you Boulder police officer who confronted black... Boulder approved a $ 125,000 in a viral video, Atkinson was released with no charges bias on the of... ; in this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson University! Executive summary of a personnel investigation into the allegation of serious misconduct involving a police... It conveniently allows police departments to avoid severe allegations like racism the of.

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