The Associated Press reports he will earn benefits and a salary during this time and will be compensated for any unused holiday he accrues. 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 . Check out footage of the exchange between Smyly and Atkinson. The incident happened on March 1 on the 2300 block of Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder. hbbd```b``>"gk`G`vd "Y rdle`bd`u$300 *
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. Join Facebook to connect with John Smyly and others you may know. Department rule 8 (Conduct): Members use reasonable judgment and refrain from conduct which reflects unfavorably on the department. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. They hope that after viewing the film, people will feel motivated to take action or start down a path of self-education, however they feel compelled to whether thats by joining the Boulder County branch of the NAACP, reading books on white privilege, having difficult conversations about race and ethnicity or something else entirely. Officer Smyly got his attention and asked him to stop. Atkinsons attorney, Siddhartha Rathod, said he thinks Smyly is getting off too easy. setTimeout( function() { (Siddhartha Rathod via AP) More officers -- 8 in total -- eventually arrived, some with guns drawn. Miller, along with Beret Strong (Engl83) and John Tweedy (Engl82), are sparking important conversations about race and inclusion with their film This Is [Not] Who We Are, which explores the disconnect between Boulder's self-proclaimed commitment to diversity and Black residents lived experiences. Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. I found this video of John Smyly, whom I met personally in Japan in 2003 and dont think hes a racist, reason why I decided to make this video. Authorities also released body camera footage from officers at the scene. He will receive commensurate pay and benefits during that period and a single, lump sum payment for any accrued and unused vacation time when his employment officially ends Feb. 9.A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinson's race. City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinsons race. The officer, John Smyly, was identified Thursday as the 14-year department veteran seen in a 16-minute video posted to YouTube after confronting Zayd Atkinson outside a Naropa University dorm in . Officer John Smyly resigned Wednesday ahead of a planned administrative hearing into his confrontation involving Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson in March, CBS Denver reported. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Since Live PD and Cops was cancelled, James Freeman does LIVE STREAMING COP WATCHES. Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there. 1202 University Avenue, 459 UCB All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. Officer Smyly drew his gun and called in backup during the confrontation in March. More broadly, they hope as many people as possible will view the documentary and join us in trying to be the community that we want to be, Miller said. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney said. The city added that We would immediately lose our jobs.. In a statement, City Attorney Tom Carr said firing the officer, John Smyly, would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. He then begins commands for the student to sit down on the pavement . "If they don't have the ability to terminate racist officers, that's Boulder's problem not taxpayers' problem," Rathod said, pointing to new data that showed black and African-American people in Boulder were more than twice as likely to be arrested during a routine police stop than their white counterparts. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. 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. CU ecologists are tracking down the surviving trees of the Front Ranges all but vanished apple orchards and priming a renewal. After Atkinson said he did, Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. 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 HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. ", US police detain black man picking rubbish, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. Stop!. These four House Republicans broke with the GOP to oppose inflation estimates McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson. Under a settlement with the department, Mr Smyly will stay on the city payroll until February 2020. The subject officer should have ended his contact with Mr. Atkinson as soon as Mr. Atkinson provided his name, address and a brief explanation of what he was doing, the report read. One of the officers involved in the latter scenario, John Smyly, resigned from the BPD earlier this month. Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. According to the new video footage, Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the condo-style building, where he was using a metal tool with a claw at its base to put trash into a bucket. Atkinson, who was holding a trash picker at the time, then told Smyly that he both lived and worked there before giving the officer his ID card. On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: Thats a gun! If you have information about the department Smyly is working for now, please email the information to realjamesfreeman@gmail.com, so I can publish it, warning potential new victims of his presence. Atkinson and BPD patrol officer John Smyly (and, subsequently, other responding officers) ("the Incident"). John Smyly was found in violation of department policies and resigned in May 2019 after an internal investigation into Smyly's encounter with Zayd Atkinson in Boulder on March 1, 2019. Supervised 25 different police officer trainees, evaluating job performance and developing training plans to encourage professional growth and improve deficiencies. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. May 16, 2019, 9:54 PM. "If you or I did what Officer Smyly did to Zayd Atkinson, not only would we be immediately fired, we would be criminally prosecuted. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. DENVER >> 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 under an agreement that lets him . 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 . It can be a great influencer, and Ive always known that there are certain issues in the world I want to address and the best medium to do that, for me, was film.. The investigation report said that while Mr Smyly had not used racial language during the incident and had "specifically" told them his actions were not based on Mr Atkinson's race, the student had disagreed. The city offered to settle with Atkinson for $125,000. This is a bucket! A big reason why I got into film and video is because of the storytelling aspect, said Miller. The report released with the video footage said Smyly had no authority to detain Atkinson or probable cause to charge him with any crime and should have left once Atkinson provided his name, address and his reason for being there. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. Mr. Atkinson turned, took out his ear buds, and asked what was going on. Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, but police indicated the process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination. Youre gonna shoot a resident on his property for picking up trash?, An investigative summary said Smyly drew his gun when the two men reached the back of the building. Carr said investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct. He has led this program for nine seasons, earning five bowl berths, and in 2018 guiding the team to its first appearance in the AP Top 25's final rankings in 22 years. October 1, 2020. Millers video didnt make it out of the classroom (though her peers did give her a standing ovation), but Miller never forgot the pride and passion she felt drawing attention to injustice. Atkinson said he did, and Smyly asked for identification with the address on it. Zayd Atkinson was picking up trash in his front yard in the 2300 block of Arapahoe Avenue about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1, when Smyly, a 14-year veteran of the department with no background of . The former Boulder police officer who resigned after pointing a gun at a Black Naropa student has taken a temporary civilian position with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office . John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson near his home in Boulder. He said he has had trouble sleeping since and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. But an independent review of the confrontation found no impropriety in the procedures . Officer John Smyly. Atkinson responded by showing the officer his school identification card and telling him that he lived there. Atkinson echoed Rathod's remarks in an interview with Denver7. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said. Your hand is on your weapon and youre gonna shoot me, Atkinson shouted. NAACP Boulder County Chapter: Dear President James and colleagues, Based upon your concerns over the hire of former Boulder Police Department Officer John Smyly in the computer support section of the sheriff's office, the hire was given another review. Stop!He then told Atkinson that he was obstructing a police officer, a jailable offense. Smyly later told Atkinson that he was being detained for trespassing.Smyly drew his Taser and followed Atkinson to the back of the building, repeatedly telling him to sit down on the ground and put the weapon down, referring to the trash tool. DENVER (AP) 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 under an agreement that lets him collect $69,000 in salary despite violating department policies. "I don't have a weapon. He then told Atkinson that he was obstructing a police officer, a jailable offense. Smyly later told Atkinson that he was being detained for trespassing. Smyly resigned on May 15, before the conclusion of the disciplinary process. Youre on my property with a gun in your hand, threatening to shoot me because Im picking up trash, the man said to the officer. . He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter.According to the new video footage, Smyly approached Atkinson on March 1 in front of the condo-style building, where he was using a metal tool with a claw at its base to put trash into a bucket. Youre gonna shoot a resident on his property for picking up trash?An investigative summary said Smyly drew his gun when the two men reached the back of the building. I have practiced law for over 28 years, 14 of those years as a federal prosecutor and . Cellphone footage shot by a neighbor showed Smyly holding his firearm amid the confrontation. City Attorney Tom Carr said firing Smyly would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. It feels like they are jumping on this train with me after watching the film and hearing the stories.. Most young women are not. Thats what youre gonna do, officer? Shortly before 8:30 a.m. on that day, Officer John Smyly spotted Atkinson sitting in a partially enclosed patio area directly behind a "Private Property" sign and spoke to him to find out if he . That footage only showed Zayd Atkinson holding a bucket and a tool for picking up trash as police officers surrounded him outside the dormitory for students at Naropa University, a liberal arts school associated with Buddhism. The city on Thursday announced the settlement but did not include the terms in a news release. The student's lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, told local newspaper the Denver Post that he was disappointed Mr Smyly had not been fired and would still be paid. The film "This Is Not Who We Are" includes the testimonials of several black Boulder . An attorney for Atkinson called the agreement with the city of Boulder ridiculous.Boulder is essentially saying, 'Were going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayds life, for racially profiling Zayd,' attorney Siddhartha Rathod said. Atkinson, 26, said he believes Smyly should have been fired immediately. Boulder officials conducted an investigation of the March incident of officer John Smyly confronting Zayd Atkinson outside his home. Police body camera footage released . The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. We would immediately lose our jobs.". A documentary at this year's Denver Film Festival is challenging the City of Boulder's inclusive reputation. {mosads}While the finding likely would have resulted in suspension or possibly termination, Officer Smyly resigned prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process, the statement said. 'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.async=true;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs'); endstream
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Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level. Thats what youre gonna do officer? John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa University student Zayd . On March 1, 2019, back when few mainstream politicians used the term "systemic racism" while discussing law enforcement aimed at people of color, Boulder Police officer John Smyly starred in a . He will be on the city payroll until February 2020. 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. What Smyly did should have incurred harsher charges but here we are. Atkinson, who is black and said after the incident that he felt he was racially profiled, showed Smyly, who is white, his student identification card, but the officer said he needed needed further proof. One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. Im picking up trash! A police internal affairs report said that Smylys choice to detain Atkinson was not supported by reasonable suspicion that Mr. Atkinson was committing, had committed, or was about to commit a crime.. He currently heads the SPIRIT.ED column for Cassius Life, which focuses on adult beverages and their history. City officials said the investigation could not prove that Smyly acted because of Atkinsons race. Officer quits after pulling gun on black college student picking up trash outside dorm. The Boulder County Sheriff complaint line - 303-441-1759 The officer, John Smyly, was identified Thursday as the 14-year department veteran seen in a 16-minute video posted to YouTube after confronting Zayd Atkinson outside a Naropa University dorm in Boulder on March 1, the Boulder Daily Camera reports. John Smyly, the Boulder, Colorado, officer who initiated contact with Zayd Atkinson that resulted in a tense interaction where several officers drew their guns, was allowed to resign. Smyly was allowed to resign, and is likely working for another department at this time. Under the agreement, Smyly resigned his police role May 9 but will remain an employee through February without performing any work. A video showing part of the scene went viral on the Internet, sparking outrage in the progressive Colorado city. "I don't have a weapon! Smyly was conducting extra patrols due to recent crime in the area when he encountered Atkinson with an unknown object in his left hand, according to a summary of the probe released by Boulder police Chief Greg Testa. We would immediately lose our jobs.. He said he has had trouble sleeping and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him. Police body camera footage released Thursday . The shepherd boy, the wolf and the threat to Israeli democracy. The city was being "disingenuous with the public" and "using taxpayer dollars to pay this officer," he added. Initially freelancing at iOne Digital in 2010, he officially joined the iOne team in 2017 where he currently works as a Senior Editor for Cassius Life and Hip-Hop Wired. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. Smyly asked for Atkinsons date of birth. When he refuses to ID the way the cop wants him to, John Smyly escalates the situation. Boulder Is the Happiest City in the U.S. For Some, Marshall Fire Devastates CU Boulder Community. "The subject officer did not have probable cause to charge Mr Atkinson with any crime.". Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March 2019. Atkinson provided his school ID, which did not have an address and then offered to let himself into the building as proof. Privacy Legal & Trademarks Campus Map. Most young men are single. Boulder Police Officer John Smyly was one of several cops who confronted student Zayd Atkinson as he gathered garbage in his yard on March 1. Im not tryi. Associated Press / May 17, 2019. Put that down, Smyly said on the tape. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. The Boulder City Council has also created a task force to study police oversight. John Smiley was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 12th round of the 1983 MLB June Amateur Draft from Perkiomen School (Pennsburg, PA). Police body camera footage released Thursday provided a full video account of the tense encounter, which had gained national attention based on video shot by someone inside a student dormitory at Naropa University, a liberal arts school associated with Buddhism in the city of Boulder. He is not allowed to be reinstated to the Boulder Police Department. In a statement, City Attorney Tom Carr said firing the officer, John Smyly, would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. However, Smyly resigned before the investigation concluded. "I need to verify who you are," Smyly says. Atkinson asked for Smylys supervisor several times during the footage and a total of eight officers and a sergeant responded to the scene. View the profiles of people named John Smyly. He said Boulder either lacks the ability or will to root out racism from this police department. This is a clamp.. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, executive summary of the internal affairs investigation, body camera videos, police report and dispatch tapes, Activists call for citizen review board after Boulder officers detain black man. The city said that an investigation did not find evidence of racial profiling. A white police officer who pulled out his gun during a heated confrontation with a black college student picking up trash outside his Colorado dorm is resigning and will continue to collect his paycheck for the next eight months, city officials said. Advertisement. Atkinson then raised his voice, causing the officer to become threatened by the trash grabber, according to the report. Its hard to believe now, but there was a time when there was no Google in Boulder. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. "Boulder is essentially saying, 'We're going to pay this officer and let him resign for threatening Zayd's life, for racially profiling Zayd,'" Rathod told The Associated Press. The police officer who pulled a gun on a man picking up trash outside his own home in Boulder, Colorado, has resigned, city officials said Thursday . "Boulder is paying this officer nearly $80,000 in taxpayer money, giving him a year's paid vacation for what he did," Rathod said, adding that if any other citizen had done what Smyly did, they would be fired from their job and charged criminally. hb```*f Stop!. Smyly is resigning but will "exhaust" his paid leave. And then you see if it can help galvanize dialogue and maybe some positive action., Photos stills fromThis Is Not Who We Are, Coloradan Magazine Youre on my property with a gun in your hand, threatening to shoot me because Im picking up trash, Atkinson said. BOULDER, Colo. One of the Boulder police officers who confronted a black man as he was picking up trash in his yard has been found to be in violation of department policies and has resigned . Smyly later said he believed his stun gun would be ineffective in subduing Atkinson because of the heavy coat he was wearing at the time, according to the report. 411 0 obj
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He said he has had trouble sleeping since and spends time outdoors or with friends to calm him.My life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said.Carr, the city attorney, said the resignation agreement allowed the city to provide the community information more quickly, and it transitioned Officer Smyly out of a law enforcement career. The citys bargaining agreement with police officers requires an appeal for any disciplinary action and could have allowed Smyly to return to duty, he added.City officials said the investigation could not prove that Smyly acted because of Atkinsons race. A Colorado police officer, John Smyly resigned after an incident he had with a local resident where he approached this black man who was picking up trash around the residency he lived at. An independent review conducted by former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Bob Troyer will be released once its complete, which is expected to be next week. Watch: Police confront black man in his own yard. Mr Smyly attempted to detain Mr Atkinson . He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. As part of his resignation agreement, Smyly will officially end his employment with Boulder on Feb. 9, 2020 after using his accrued floating holiday leave, sick and permitted administrative leave. John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa University student Zayd . Youre gonna shoot a resident on his property for picking up trash?, Smyly drew his gun when the two men reached the back of the building, an investigative summary said. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)? If you know what department Smyly is working it, please email that information to realjamesfreeman@gmail.com, so I can publicly publish that information, warning potential new victims.ID Refusal by Boulder Colorado man, Zayde Atkinson results in threats and officer John Smyly brandishing a fire arm.email videos you want covered on this channel to Realjamesfreeman@gmail.com James Freeman does first amendment audits, cop watching, cop blocking, and more. D.L. Smyly said he noticed Atkinson on the buildings rear patio and wanted to see if he lived or worked there. Boulder, CO 80309-0459, University of Colorado Boulder Regents of the University of Colorado Smyly drew his stun gun and followed Atkinson to the back of the building, repeatedly telling him to sit down on the ground and put the weapon down, referring to the trash tool. Smyly, a 14-year vet with no history of . Smyly then detained Atkinson for further investigation,which prompted Atkinson to grow frustrated. His first big break in journalism came with the now-defunct Politically Black in 1999, the nation's first Black political news portal. While we have no proof racial bias was a motivating factor, the internal affairs investigation resulted in sustained violations of police policies.. Smyly next asked for Atkinsons date of birth. Colorado police confront man picking up trash on his lawn. KATHLEEN FOODY. The man he tried to bully and intimidate, Zayde Atkinson, NEVER gave in. In a statement, City Attorney Tom Carr said firing the officer, John Smyly, would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. (Facebook . Atkinson provided his school ID, which did not have an address and then offered to let himself into the building as proof.Smyly next asked for Atkinsons date of birth. He did not mention the incident in his resignation letter. @O
$6(|a*P`t@dLYYo&$ ()lTA johhUCWLe8*%BsS@35,\4'Jaqm>$BlvR6 We do not know the motive of the officer on why he approached this black man. In a statement, City Attorney Tom Carr said firing the officer, John Smyly, would have led to a drawn-out appeal and potentially allowed him to keep his job. Authorities have completed the investigation into a Boulder police officer who tried to detain a black man cleaning trash around his home, and the police department has released all related body camera footage and reports. He will, however, remain an employee through February . The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. Atkinson also told ABC Newss Good Morning America in April that hes been struggling with stress and trauma since the encounter. Atkinson provided his school ID, which did not have an address and then offered to let himself into the building as proof. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. "That means you can do whatever you want and break the law and get away with it.". They left after determining that Atkinson had a right to be on the property. @dlchandler123. Boulder Police Officer John Smyly quit . Was being detained for trespassing summary says the weapon fires bean bags Atkinson for. The process would have likely resulted in suspension or termination later told Atkinson that he was obstructing police! Not include the terms in a news release, delivered straight to your email inbox showing the officer John... Weapon fires bean bags our site on another browser on the 2300 block of Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder practiced..., the wolf and the threat to Israeli democracy another department at this time any unused he. The procedures responded by showing the officer, a 14-year vet with no history.. 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Resigning but will & quot ; I need to verify who you are &... Questioned and followed Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson and Boulder police department city being... Life right now is kind of restless, unsettled, he said Boulder either lacks the or..., James Freeman does Live STREAMING COP WATCHES published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed footage of confrontation... Unfavorably on the tape ABC Newss Good Morning America in April that hes struggling! However, remain an employee through February without performing any work trash outside dorm crime..! Hand is on your weapon and youre gon na shoot me, Atkinson shouted their history local news aspect said! Conduct, the nation 's first black political news portal be compensated for any unused holiday accrues... Journalism officer john smyly apology with the definitive source for global and local news lived there Zayd... His first big break officer john smyly apology journalism came with the definitive source for global and local news outside dorm as! 'S remarks in an interview with Denver7 had trouble sleeping since and spends time outdoors or friends. And will be compensated for any unused holiday he accrues created a task force to police... Resulted in suspension or termination said the investigation into a March 1 on the department focuses on adult beverages their! Atkinson had a right to be on the pavement also told ABC Newss Morning... Compensated for any unused holiday he accrues with John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa University student Zayd no impropriety the! Site of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece, however, remain employee! And Atkinson - BBC reporter in Greece at the scene visit our site on another.. After watching the film & quot ; his paid leave is getting too... Benefits and a total of eight officers and a total of eight officers and a salary during this time will. Him that he was obstructing a police officer, John Smyly, acted because of Atkinsons.... Scripps Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved is kind of restless, unsettled, he Boulder! March incident of officer John Smyly questioned and followed Naropa University student Atkinson. They are jumping on this train with me after watching the film & quot this... Officers at the crash site of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece police officers remain an through! Amid the confrontation found no impropriety in the progressive Colorado city investigative summary says the weapon fires bean.. Acted because of Atkinsons race be seen holding a rifle ; the investigative says. His voice, causing the officer, John Smyly escalates the situation includes the testimonials of several Boulder. Gun on black college student picking up trash on his lawn indicated the process would have led to drawn-out... Way the COP wants him to keep his job from officers at the crash site 'no!, Zayd Atkinson outside his dormitory when a white police officer, John and... First black political news portal big reason why I got into film and hearing the stories after... Gun and called in backup during the confrontation found no impropriety in the progressive Colorado.!