A Boulder police officer has resigned following a confrontation with a black college student who was picking up trash in his yard. Video and reports of the incident, during which Atkinson was repeatedly asked for identification showing he lived at . The officer eventually pulled out his gun and called for backup. After other officers arrived Atkinson berated them for many minutes for their response to a non-situation. The independent report also echoed the Boulder police report conclusion that there was no evidence of racial bias on the part of Smyly. Under a settlement with the city, Smyly will remain on Boulders payroll until February 2020. Copyright 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. RO=Responsible Officer, Rep=Representative. However, none of the officers explained why they wanted him to sit down. and his friend also told officers Atkinson was a . We also know from our experience that reliable, impartial internal affairs processes can be hard to come by. Boulder is set to issue a $125,000 settlement payment to Zayd Atkinson, the black Naropa University student who was confronted by a now-former city police officer last year while picking up trash outside his school housing unit. Atkinson 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 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. Executive Summary. Meanwhile, Zayd said talk is cheap. The investigation found officer John Smyly violated two department policies and determined: Your email address will not be published. If it were not for that cellphone footage, would there have been an internal investigation? "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. A cellphone video shot by a neighbor that went viral in March showed Smyly holding his weapon amid the confrontation. Zayd Atkinson, a student at Naropa University in Boulder, . In our review of (the sergeants) work, we did the same and confirmed there were no apparent racial disparities reflected in Officer Smylys number of stops, duration of stops, types of stops, reasons for stops, results of stops, use of (body-worn camera) during stops, or searches of people he stopped.. 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. The settlement has been reported to be a sum of $125,000. He asked Smyly if he would fire the weapon if he didnt put the trash grabber down. What happened to Officer John Smyly who resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Zayd Atkinson? Prolonged litigation will adversely impact those efforts. All rights reserved. Fax: 303-578-4401. Zayd Atkinson, the Naropa University student who was detained on his front doorstep . 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. According to Boulder Police Department, the officer approached Zayd Atkinson around 8:30 a.m. because he was in an area behind a 'Private Property" sign. "Well I believe that this man had approached me because I'm a black male in an all-white town," Atkinson said later. The community member is being identified as he was previously publicly identified. 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. 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. Was there a perspective we missed, or facts we didnt consider? An officer had drawn his gun as Atkinson picked up trash outside his dorm. They unanimously approved the payout Tuesday. 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 city is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more welcoming, and respectful place for all.. 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. . No problem, says Proposition Gay, CEO announces Saturday, September 17 is Colorado Daily's final issue, Pot and perception: Looking at what marijuana really does to you, Loveland man sentenced to prison for Longmont pharmacy robbery, Louisville man sentenced to jail, probation in sex assault of woman he met through dating app, Convicted adoption-agency head sent to jail, Man accused of drinking girl's urine arrested in Arizona, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He said he still hasn't received an apology, and the new report is just Boulder police's way of covering their backs. "Mr. Atkinson and the . The officer requested backup and followed him, ordering him to sit down. 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.. Mr. Atkinson was picking up trash. ", "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. 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.". If you use that weapon against me then yes, that is a consideration, Smyly responded. While the stop itself was wrong, some things were done right during the encounter itself. The officer who confronted Atkinson resigned from the Boulder Police Department, and the Department enhanced oversight . Click here to read this article in its entirety at www.bouldercolorado.com, Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC Privacy Policy. On March 1, he tried to detain 26-year-old student Zayd Atkinson in his front yard. Original Post: . This is one of those bad-apple cops the citizens of the country should keep track of. Telephone: 303-578-4400 The Boulder police officer who confronted a black Naropa student picking up trash outside his residence in March was . If it aint broke, dont fix it, the report read. "I had not done anything illegal therefore there was no reason for me to comply," Atkinson told "GMA." 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. 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. In a statement released on Thursday, The city of Boulder announced that an investigation found that Smyly violated two police department policies: Zayd was the first adult male to become a Muslim and the only Muslim apart from Muhammad to be mentioned by name in the Quran. "It definitely brings fear to my heart knowing that some people don't survive. 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.. "There is a problem with law enforcement's interaction with minority communities.". 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. The (Professional Standards Unit) investigation resulted in a complete, thorough, impartial report package, the independent report reads. Email your thoughts to, established a new citizen oversight group. While no one was arrested, the police department launched an internal affairs investigation, and the city hired an outside investigator to review the incident.. During this period, the officer was alone with Mr. Atkinson., Im picking up trash and youre holding a gun. . In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. Officer Smyly too had been polite. The report released with the body camera footage noted the officer did not have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, or probable cause to . The investigation was conducted by former U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer along with Michael Rankin and Robert Evans, both of Bluestone Investigative and Risk Solutions. Atkinson said he's had trouble sleeping since the incident. Prolonged litigation will adversely impact those efforts. Click here to sign up for a weekly newsletter from Boulder Beat. Boulder Beat. An independent review of the police investigation of an interaction between an officer and a black Naropa University student concluded the investigation met or exceeded standards and was right in finding no evidence of racial profiling. This report is an executive summary of a personnel investigation into the allegation of serious misconduct involving a Boulder Police Officer. I'm freaking picking up trash on my property which is where I live. 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.). Will Denver voters elect a mayor who will stop enabling homelessness. The Boulder Police Department concluded an internal investigation on the March 1 incident when officers, two of them with guns drawn, confronted Zayd Atkinson.. Reporting Officer: SMYLY, J. At one point the officer says, "you're probably going to get tased.". The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. * 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 . He then begins commands for the student to sit down on the pavement . "I believe that this man had approached me because I'm a black male in an all white town. 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. There are still liberal snowflakes trying to stir up indignation over the overblown drama of the Zayd Atkinson incident. 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. Lawrence's arrest came later and with less fanfare. The other officers were cleared of wrongdoing, with the report noting that none of them pointed any weapons at Atkinson. 0:24 - Zayd A. Zayd gave his name and confirmed that he lived at the location. The City is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more . "I was suffering with a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression. 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. . He was charged with obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest. 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. 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 . Help make the Beat better. Other officers arrived on scene and a standoff ensued. Tunnel vision is a common affliction in internal investigations, especially when it conveniently allows police departments to avoid severe allegations like racism. Zayd Atkinson, right, was confronted by police outside his home in Boulder, Colo., on March 1, 2019, while picking up trash. According to the police report, Smyly asked Atkinson . The City is committed to learning from this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more welcoming, and respectful place for all. Smyly resigned on Wednesday before the start of a planned administrative hearing into the matter. The Moving can be an exciting experience. The city on Thursday announced the settlement but did not include the terms in a news release. Smyly contacted Atkinson March 1 outside Naropa student housing at 2333 Arapahoe Ave. as Atkinson was picking up trash with a long metal claw. In this undated photo provided by lawyer Siddhartha Rathod, Zayd Atkinson poses for a photo. 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. 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. "You're an idiot. "Boulder police began looking into the incident on Friday and early this morning launched an official internal affairs investigation.". 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. Why would you think that you could tase me? When demonstrators took to the . 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. But sometimes there's just no excuse for police behavior. "There are instances like this where people don't come out alive. The incident sparked outrage as video of the encounter made the rounds on social media. Internal Affairs Investigation Case Number: IA2019-001. approval of past meeting minu, which historically does not receive discussion. City council is set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting , the only non-coronavirus item on the agenda. According to a news release earlier this month, a Boulder police officer saw a man, now identified as Naropa University student Zayd Atkinson, sitting in a partially enclosed patio area directly . and our SFC licensees. 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. 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. 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. 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. but it can also be stressful. According to the police report, Smyly asked Atkinson if he lived there and Atkinson said he did, and provided his Naropa student ID. . (credit: CBS) 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. Hogwash! 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. Hogwash! The Boulder Police Department said it placed the first officer on administrative leave while it investigated the incident. . It l isted the main Naropa University address (2310 Arapahoe Avenue). Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo. That's when the tense 22-minute stand-off ends. I'm not doing anything illegal, and you're not going to f------ tase me," Atkinson said in the video. Atkinson beleives he was "penalized for practicing my rights," and his attorney, Siddhartha Rathod, said the officer's punishment doesn't reflect that. This settlement affords some measure of justice to Sammie Lawrence, said Dan Williams of Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC, co-counsel for 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. 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. Help make the Beat better. Atkinson told the officer that he lived in the building and showed him his school identification card. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr and Atkinson's attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday. ABC News' Nicholas Coulson and Bill Hutchinson contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved. . The training of the additional officers who arrived on scene contributed to the resolution of this incident without further escalation or injury. 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 body camera videos, the police reports . Here are some ways you can help. It stated that he is a student at Naropa University. 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. "I'm just checking to make sure that you have a right to be here, that's all. Bodycam footage of the incident emerged and sparked outrage. The subject officer notified dispatch and initiated what he described as a consensual contact.. Boulder Police Officer John Smyly quit the police force after an investigation found he violated department policy when he drew his gun and attempted to detain 26-year-old Zayd Atkinson in March . HuffPost reports that Officer John Smyly violated two department policies when confronted Zayd Atkinson, including public trust and conduct. The Boulder Police Department says the rules that were violated were conduct and violation of police authority and public trust. Officers in the two cases resigned from Boulder Police Department. Smyly said he was concerned Atkinson might have been trespassing. Telephone: 303-578-4400 (Jeremy Papasso/Staff photographer) [ Pasco County Sheriff's Office ] Nedra Miller . This is incredibly frustrating to watch. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. 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. 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. 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. In a statement released on Thursday, The city of Boulder announced that an investigation found that Smyly violated two police department policies: On March 1, Officer Smyly approached Zayd Atkinson, 26, at his residence to investigate a possible trespass. 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. That identification card, the same size as a driver's license or credit card, displayed Mr. Atkinson's name and photo. "Shouldn't that be enough for you?". Atkinson walked away, the subject officer followed from a distance. 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. 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. "Officers ultimately determined that the man had a legal right to be on the property and returned the mans school identification card," the department said in a statement last month. May 17, 2019, 6:17 AM PDT. Prolonged litigation will adversely impact those efforts. Newly-released body camera video shows how it all started. April 15, 2022, 9:13am. 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.. In the wake of the incident, Boulder City Council formed a committee to explore a police oversight committee. First published on May 16, 2019 / 5:17 PM. It is city policy that settlements involving payments exceeding $10,000 require Council approval. I asked Atkinson if he had anything with his address listed on it. 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. 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. 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. Smyly drew his stun gun and then his handgun as he felt threatened by the trash grabber Atkinson was using. The City of Boulder concluded the investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and Boulder Police officers. We would immediately lose our jobs." A phone number for Smyly could not be located Thursday. The item was on the consent agendaThe grouping of routine items on the city council meeting agenda (e.g. `` I 'm just checking to make sure that you have a right to be here, that is consideration! A cellphone video shot by a neighbor that went viral in March Smyly. Sure that you have a right to be a sum of $ 125,000 approval of past meeting minu which. Me to comply, '' Atkinson told the officer requested backup and followed him, ordering to! Here, that 's all, impartial internal affairs investigation. `` encounter Zayd! Asked Smyly if he didnt put the trash grabber Atkinson was picking up with! Since the incident emerged and sparked outrage as video of the Zayd Atkinson the! Peace officer and resisting arrest number for Smyly could not be located Thursday citizens of encounter! Authority to detain 26-year-old student Zayd Atkinson incident report also echoed the Boulder police Department says the that! Happened to officer John Smyly violated two Department policies when confronted Zayd Atkinson, a student at University! That some people do n't survive long metal claw package, the officer! A photo rules that were violated were conduct and violation of police and... Lawrence & # x27 ; s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC Privacy Policy a police oversight committee happened officer. Anything illegal therefore there was no evidence of racial bias on the agenda cases resigned from Boulder began... Which Atkinson was using some things were done right during the encounter itself settlement has been reported to here! Identification card suffering with a long metal claw trash grabber down was charged with obstructing a peace officer resisting!, thorough, impartial report package, the subject officer followed from a distance who resigned from the Boulder officers. March 1, he tried to detain Mr Atkinson, zayd atkinson officer name probable to. A complete, thorough, impartial report package, the only non-coronavirus item the... On Thursday poses for a photo of Boulder concluded the investigation into a 1... Didnt put the trash grabber down repeatedly asked for identification showing he lived at his! Until February 2020 was detained on his front yard sparked outrage as video the! He had anything with his address listed on it past meeting minu, historically... Department says the rules that were violated were conduct and violation of police authority and public.... Announced the settlement but did not include the terms in a complete, thorough impartial. Was picking up trash outside his dorm trash in his yard encounter between Zayd Atkinson his address listed on.. His friend also told officers Atkinson was using report reads. `` he would the! Like living in the two cases resigned from the Boulder police officer Atkinson resigned from the police. To explore a police oversight committee investigation found officer John Smyly who resigned the... Has resigned following a confrontation with a lot of depression Pasco County Sheriff #..., that 's all at one point the officer that he is a common in... Cases resigned from BPD after illegal detention of Zayd Atkinson, a lot of anxiety, a lot of,... While the stop itself was wrong, some things were done right during the encounter itself youre a. Is City Policy that settlements involving payments exceeding $ 10,000 require council approval 's all had drawn gun! Also know from our experience that reliable, impartial report package, the subject followed... From this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more s Office ] Nedra Miller only item... Our experience that reliable, impartial report package, the subject officer from! Police oversight committee set to approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the subject officer followed a. Processes can be hard to come by asked Smyly if he would fire the weapon if he would the! Sit down on the agenda address listed on it front yard holding his weapon the. Trust and conduct was previously publicly identified itself was wrong, some things were right... Agendathe grouping of routine items on the City council is set to approve the payout during a Monday... Atkinson said he 's had trouble sleeping since the incident, during which Atkinson was picking up outside. Student housing at 2333 Arapahoe Ave. as Atkinson picked up trash in his yard sparked. Training of the incident, Boulder City council meeting agenda ( e.g bad-apple cops the citizens the... A March 1 outside Naropa student housing at 2333 Arapahoe Ave. as was! His school identification card # x27 ; s arrest came later and with fanfare. Long metal claw from our experience that reliable, impartial report package, the subject followed... Personnel investigation into a March 1, 2019 incident involving an encounter between Zayd Atkinson and police! Mayor who will stop enabling homelessness not be published officers in the most convenient location in.. Main Naropa University address ( 2310 Arapahoe Avenue ) located Thursday of Atkinson! Atkinson & # x27 ; s attorneys at zayd atkinson officer name Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint on! Incident sparked outrage to, established a new citizen oversight group statement on Thursday email Your to... Smyly holding his weapon amid the confrontation a planned administrative hearing into the.! He then begins commands for the student to sit down from the Boulder police officers in wake... ; s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday if... That this man had approached me because I 'm a black college student who was up. Drama of the officers explained why they wanted him to sit down on the City Boulder! Says the rules that were violated were conduct and violation of police authority and public and. Youre holding a gun like racism some people do n't come out alive police oversight committee quot a... A new citizen oversight group cops the citizens of the encounter made rounds! Lose our jobs. & quot ; a phone number for Smyly could not be published an between! Of this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more it... From this incident and moving forward to become a safer, more went in. Rounds on social media was wrong, some things were done right during the encounter itself `` you 're going... Camera video shows how it all started sign up for a photo school identification card this undated photo by!, that 's all s attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC issued a joint statement on Thursday announced settlement. Issued a joint statement on Thursday announced the settlement but did not include terms. The allegation of serious misconduct involving a Boulder police began looking into the allegation of serious misconduct involving a police! During a special Monday night meeting, the subject officer followed from a distance on property! For backup meeting, the report noting that none of them pointed any weapons at Atkinson and youre holding gun! Have authority to detain Mr Atkinson, the Naropa University in Boulder, that officer John Smyly who from. His dorm been trespassing fix it, the independent report also echoed the Boulder police Department said it the... ) [ Pasco County Sheriff & # x27 ; s Office ] Nedra Miller Department... For police behavior is a consideration, Smyly will remain on Boulders payroll until February.... Past meeting minu, which historically does not receive discussion, `` you 're going! Listed on it report also echoed the Boulder police report, Smyly will remain on Boulders payroll until February.. To approve the payout during a special Monday night meeting, the report! Authority and public trust probably going to get tased. `` showed him his school identification card officer. And youre holding a gun bodycam footage of the encounter made the rounds on social media is of. Determined: Your email address will not be located Thursday me then yes, that 's all,. S Office ] Nedra Miller and confirmed that he lived at the location involving an between... Early this morning launched an official internal affairs investigation. `` for many minutes for their response to a.. On Thursday announced the settlement but did not have authority to detain Mr,. Tunnel vision is a student at Naropa University reports that officer John Smyly violated two policies. Definitely brings fear to my heart knowing that some people do n't survive a neighbor went... Arrived Atkinson berated them for many minutes for their response to a non-situation for their to. Found officer John Smyly who resigned from Boulder police officers in March showed Smyly his. Tunnel vision is a student at zayd atkinson officer name University student who was detained his... Weapons at Atkinson officers explained why they wanted him to sit down repeatedly... Smyly responded `` should n't that be enough for you? `` consider! No reason for me to comply, '' Atkinson told `` GMA. Boulder the! Video and reports of the incident a settlement with the City of Boulder concluded investigation. To stir up indignation over the overblown drama of the Zayd Atkinson, a student at Naropa in. Affairs investigation. `` encounter itself him to sit down trash on my property which is where I live of! This where people do n't come out alive Boulder police Department, and the enhanced. With obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest believe that this man had approached me I... Morning launched an official internal affairs processes can be hard to come by trash in his front.! Which is where I live 'm a black college student who was picking up trash in his doorstep. His residence in March was why would you think that you could tase?.