Officer quits after confronting black man picking up trash

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Kathleen Foody, Associated Press Updated 8:56 pm CDT, Thursday, May 16, 2019



Photo: Siddhartha Rathod, AP
In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. Atkinson was picking up trash outside his dormitory when a white police officer in Boulder, Colo., detained him in March, 2019. The officer, John Smyly, resigned this week under an agreement with city officials who found he had violated department policies. (Siddhartha Rathod via AP)


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.

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.

City officials said the investigation could not prove that the officer, John Smyly, acted because of Zayd Atkinson's race. Investigators found Smyly violated two department policies: police authority and public trust and conduct, the city attorney said.

"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. "If you or I were to do this, we would be criminally charged. We would immediately lose our jobs."

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Officer-resigns-for-confronting-black-man-picking-13850692.php

[Doodley]

1. What an asshole! He should have offered to help the man, not act like a SOB.

[yardwork]

2. Good. He pulled his gun on an unarmed civilian.

[riversedge]

3. I imagine this bigoted cop with go and get a job in another city.

[Bengus81]

7. Yeah...just watch,this asshat will be wearing a different cop uniform in no time....

Might not make the news but that fucker will be hired at the first place he applies.

[rocktivity]

4. In view of how much more Boulder could lose in a civil suit

Last edited Sat May 18, 2019, 10:03 AM - Edit history (1)

the $69K is peanuts.

P.S. Being "forced" or "allowed" to resign to avoid being fired is being fired.


rocktivity

[Bayard]

5. Used to be DWB

Driving While Black would get you shot. Now, its, DAWB--Doing Anything While Black.

[ROB-ROX]

6. THE COP SHOULD BE IN PRISON KIDNAPPING STUDENT

This TURD broke the law and was REWARDED!!! Bastards like him should be in prison for their crimes. This guy will continue to break the law and this type of person will starts killing people.

[softydog88]

8. A few more tidbits from the linked story:

Smyly drew his gun when the two men reached the back of the building, an investigative summary said. On the video, Atkinson responds by shouting: "That's a gun! I'm picking up trash! I'm picking up trash, and you're holding a gun!"

After about eight minutes, more officers arrive and form a loose half circle around Atkinson.

One officer can be seen holding a rifle; the investigative summary says the weapon fires bean bags. One officer drew his handgun when he arrived but re-holstered it in less than a minute, while Smyly had his gun out until Atkinson put the trash-grabbing tool down, according to the summary.

The kid should have picked up the cop. There's your real trash.

[gopiscrap]

9. welcome to DU

[softydog88]

12. Thank you!

Happy to be here.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

10. WHAT in gods name did cop think the kid was doing - besides picking up trash that is??? Im baffled

and lame ass article doesn't say.

Another thing that baffles me - don't these racists know that nowadays there are actual black people who are middle class or even wealthy and educated and who attend colleges and stuff, just like middle class white folks???????????????

Kid is dressed Boulder cool, not like your stereotypical gang banger from the slums. Get a clue, idiots!

[EarthFirst]

11. I'm curious how remaining through February without performing any work.

plays in retirement and pension benefits; and if allowed to resign in a non-participatory role allows him to reach pension beneficiary status?

The article did not mention how long the officer had been with the department...

[Blue_Tires]

13. Damn, he gets $69k just to walk away...

It would be nice if we had cushions like that at all our jobs

Someone needs to throw this story in the face of all those "But why didn't he just follow the policeman's orders?" -assholes...

[Blue_Tires]

14. BODY CAM VIDEO

Link to tweet