During his time as chief, Reno said he had a panel of three that recommend the hiring of officers, so he denies any claim that he had any discriminatory hiring practices. The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. 1133 East Lake Blvd | Tarrant, AL 35217 | 205-849-2800. a municode design. (Newton said the reason the city doesnt have a clerk or police chief is because Bryant and other holdover council members have opposed his choices and instead want to install someone sympathetic to them.). The mayor said he will address the warrant at a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday. All rights reserved (About Us). Staff Login X The police that I referred to that Mr. Reno had in place was simple and to quote him exactly, I dont hire black officers because black officers dont like to police their own., He said several police officers have left the department since he took office, in part for higher-paying jobs elsewhere and in part to what he said was a concerted effort by former employees to hurt the city and to ultimately hurt my administration.. Newton is considered innocent until proven guilty and he has called the charge bogus. The Tribune is awaiting a call back from his attorney. But he told The Daily Beast that the police department employs 18 officers. Phone: (817) 685-1500 The Euless Police Department provides law enforcement service for the community. Is there a reason you got rid of every white department head in the city? We have people kicking against change and we need change,' she said. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021, after 42 years in law enforcement. In response to the alleged instance of misconduct that Bryant described, in which he said Newton challenged him to a fight, Newton said, Im a 40-year-old Black man with an Ivy League degree and I graduated from a top-10 law school. But its the people that hold office in Tarrant thats keeping him from moving forward., She called out the longest-serving councilman, Tommy Bryant, in particular. My thing is, I was elected to run the city. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. Additional Information. Job Opportunities Currently hiring APOST Certified Officers at jobsquest.org Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow Police Contact Information elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, assault and other charges after he allegedly pulled a gun on an Atlanta realtor, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. TX - Nov 13, 2022. Since becoming mayor, Newton has vowed to "clean up the city" but he said he has faced pushback from the. And Mayor Newton is trying to correct the things that had been so bad about the city of Tarrant from the previous administrationlike not having Black officers.. But Reno said he has his own video of the incident and it shows the door being slammed on his elbow. He never gave me a chance.. He never gave me a chance, he told AL.com of the mayor, adding that he had told Newton, I dont hire off race, I hire off qualifications.. Money Services Business Registrations; Moter Carriers TARRANT, Ala. (WBRC) - Tarrant City Councilman Tommy Bryant was arrested Thursday morning, Nov. 10, his second arrest this week, after a towing company says he drove away in his vehicle without paying. But he said people like Bryant and Reno are, in effect, stuck in the past: Theyre longing for a time that was.. But according to AL.com, he told police last week that Newton slammed a door on his arm and injured him seriously enough that he now needs physical therapy. And thats what Ive been doing, he said. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Do you really think that I would say something like that at a public meeting?. I never even got involved in the interviews, said Reno. Coming on the heels of a year of racial justice protests, literal dismantling of Confederate monuments, and calls for police reform, the bizarre, small-town, Deep South saga either reflects the rise of a ruthless politician one rival likened to Adolf Hitler, or the last gasp of a white power structure that wont let go. After months of pushback from the majority of council members, Newton said he hopes the city can eventually move in a positive direction. All rights reserved (About Us). My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. The councilman went on to say longtime city employees were in a hostile situation under Newtons leadership, and accused the mayor of harassing multiple employees, including himself. Copyright All rights reserved. Check the . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Police | Tarrant, AL Police Call 911 in case of emergency. He has no regard for the proper procedures to do anything.. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). Racial Profiling Policy. Reno said he and Newton had only one conversation about the racial makeup of the police force and he told the mayor: I dont hire off race, I hire off qualifications.. Tarrant drove away at 1:55 pm. Police Department Amy Marion Chief of Police (870) 845-3434 Pay Fines Police Department The Nashville Police Department is comprised of professional police officers who are eager to protect and serve our community. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. Im very, very excited.. It all came to a head this past week when the former police chief Dennis Reno filed assault charges against Mayor Wayman Newton from an argument that happened on November 3, 2020. Bryant wondered why Newton wasnt putting himself on leave given the fact that he fired Rickels for his charge. In an interview, the mayor denied ever slamming the door on Renos arm. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. And as I stated before, there is a video of this incident, which will be released to the authorities. We would have friends and family that wouldnt come to Tarrant because they were known for it, Taylor said. He went on to serve with the UAB Police Department, the Fairfield Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, where he has been for at least two decades. When Wayman Newton found out last week about the warrant for his arrest in the town that elected him its first Black mayor, he wasnt surprised. (Jefferson County Jail), At a press conference held Thursday, Newton said Reno was was unwilling to stop the discriminatory practice of not hiring African American officers, which under my administration is unacceptable., There was a verbal disagreement about this between myself and Mr. Reno in my office on November 3, 2020 in which Mr. Reno is alleging that I slammed his arm in a door,' Newton said. All rights reserved (About Us). I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. People have been trying to throw obstacles in my way. 2,044 Sq. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. TARRANT Former Tarrant Police Chief Dennis Reno responded Thursday to a press conference held by Mayor Wayman Newton earlier in the day. For his part, Newton said most of the criticism by Bryant, Horton, and others who have opposed him is due to the fact that the city used to be run in a way that gave them more decision-making power than he believes they should haveand led to a cycle of stagnation. All rights reserved (About Us). He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. When Wayman Newton found out last week about the warrant for his arrest in the town that elected him its first Black mayor, he wasnt surprised. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has released video of an incident that led to the former police chief filing a misdemeanor assault charge against the mayor. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton. He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. Wayman Antoninus Newton, 40, is charged with assault in the third degree. The former police chief of Tarrant, Dennis Reno, was unwilling to stop the discriminatory practice of not hiring African American officers, which under my administration is unacceptable, said Newton. The judge on Friday issued her orders declaring Newton not guilty in both cases. along with contact information, are available now on the wvt13m app. When asked how many black officers were on the force when the new mayor took office, Mayor Newton said there werent any. Major earned his criminal justice degree from UAB, and his law degree from Birmingham School of Law. A silver 2005 Subaru Outback matching the description of Tarrant's vehicle was seen by a police unit, and a pursuit was initiated at 1:57 pm. Deanna Taylor is one of those people. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday, a month after Rickels was arrested in Georgia on assault, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Tarrant City Police Department - Tarrant, Alabama. Bryant accused Newton of shouting an expletive F#*&- several times, and then, F#*& your wife multiple times and finally saying, Im going to F#*& your wife several times as well as some other sexually explicit comments. In response to the alleged instance of misconduct that Bryant described, in which he said Newton challenged him to a fight, Newton said, Im a 40-year-old Black man with an Ivy League degree and I graduated from a top-10 law school. Newton, elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, is charged with third-degree assault of former Chief Dennis Reno. 2 Baths. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated., Asked for a response to the mayors statement, Reno said, I only worked for him for two hours. The Black 41-year-old claimed the mayor has also made other positive changes in the city, such as starting a farmers market, providing greater access to the community center, and feeding the poorest city residents. Were going to continue to rebuild the city. According to AL.com, Rickels, who is white, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a gun after he allegedly pulled a gun on a Black realtor and photographer at a home he owned in Roswell, Georgia. Since Reno left the force, he said around 12 officers have left the department. Tarrant resident Waynette Bonham said things seemed to be changing for the better under Newton. It is his goal to lead in an environment that fosters mutual respect and understanding, reflective of the professional standards expected from those he serves. Newton said Reno told him that he didnt hire Black officers because Black officers dont like to police their own.. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. Site Map. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated.. He called himself the CEO of the city, and said Bryant and others have unfortunately been put off by the new structure hes installed. Freddie Rubio, the city attorney of Tarrant, declined to comment on any formal complaints of harassment against Mayor Newton, and did not respond to a subsequent request for comment about whether procedures had been followed in firing employees. Police Dept. Then I realized that Im here for a reason, and that reason is that I represent all the people that wanted to change the city, but they werent able to change the city,' he said. Lt. Phillip George of the Tarrant Police Department declined to comment about any alleged policy of not hiring Black officers, as well as the alleged targeting of Black drivers. She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021, after 42 years in law enforcement. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Newton only acknowledged using foul language one time in private with Bryant, after he said the councilman called him boy. If you know anything about the history of the South and race relations, to have some 75-year-old man calling a 40-year-old Black man a boy is very insulting, Newton said. Hes lying like Hell! The Tarrant mayor said that at that time the city did not have a single black police officer. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. Chief Wendell Major said this all stems from an argument between Councilman Bryant and Mayor Newton. Reminds me of Adolf Hitler., Bryant has served as a councilman for 12 years, and said hes lived in Tarrant for most of his life. Benbrook Police Department. Tarrant city councilman Tommy Bryant previously came under fire for calling the same mayor he is accused of attacking a "house n----r" during a council meeting. The alleged assault occurred in November after he was elected mayor. We have lived in the past, he said. During the meeting, Newton said, he confronted Renowho was still chief at the timeover what the mayor claimed was a longstanding practice of not hiring Black police officers in the city. Benbrook City Council. He never gave me a chance, he told AL.com of the mayor, adding that he had told Newton, I dont hire off race, I hire off qualifications.. I wasnt shocked because I knew I didnt do any of the stuff they accused me of doing, Newton said Wednesday. Although the numbers dont tell a damning tale, Newton said, Tarrant historically has had a problem.. 2023 Benbrook Business & Community Showcase (BBCS) View All . The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020, when the two got into a verbal dispute. There was a verbal disagreement about this between myself and Mr. Reno in my office on November 3, 2020, in which Mr. Reno is alleging that I slammed his arm in a door. Type: Police Departments Population Served: 8148 He never gave me a chance.', Reno said he told Newton during the only conversation they had about the racial makeup of the police force was, I dont hire off race, I hire off qualifications.. Newton was sworn in as the citys mayor in November 2020. Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. George also shared department data with The Daily Beast that showed how, in 2019, Black drivers represented about 58 percent of those stopped by police, and about 55 percent of stopped drivers in 2020. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). All rights reserved (About Us). Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. And hopefully and once it works its way through the proper channels, those videos will be released to the public,' Newton said. Lets get to the bottom of it and see who is lying.. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. In an ever-evolving city and police department, Deputy Chief Criado embraces new challenges and change. we post and write thousands of news stories a year, most wanted stories, editorials (under categories - blog) and stories of exonerations. He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. The chief walked away like nothing happened,' she said. The Ugly War Between a White Police Chief and a Black Mayor in the Deep South A TOWN DIVIDED Wayman Newton Tarrant, Alabama, has been gripped by a saga that some say reflects the rise of a. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Hes lying, Reno said of the mayor. He accused Newton of failing to fill important vacant positions in the city, like the city clerk and the chief of police. He explained his version of the events during a phone call with The Tribune. In response, Bryant claimed that he called Newton little boy, and that Newton had been trying to instigate himand that he meant the comment only to turn the tide on the situation. Major is a graduate of Fairfield High School and served as a U.S. Marine. All rights reserved, Reward Offered as Montgomery County Deputies Hope to Find Woman, Selma Police Investigating Man's Apparent Murder, Montgomery Police Need Help in Homicide Investigation, Montgomery Firefighters Investigating Large Church Fire Near Downtown, Pedestrian Killed in Three-Car Crash in Troy. During the press conference Thursday, Newton explained his versions of the incident that happened on Nov. 3, 2020. The problem is, the four individuals on the council, they know their time is up, Newton said. TARRANT, Ala. (WBRC) - Tarrant's Police Chief is reacting to Councilman Tommy Bryant's arrest after he said he witnessed Bryant punching Mayor Wayman Newton. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. Newton said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. Do you really think that I would say something like that at a public meeting?. The incident was caught on camera. Newton was arrested on Wednesday on a charge of third-degree assault. (Facebook). Phone: 817-249-1610. Major replaces former Chief Dennis Reno, who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton. We didnt see anything happen.'. PA - Feb 06, 2023. 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Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the city's former police chief swore out a warrant on him. We would have friends and family that wouldnt come to Tarrant because they were known for it, Taylor said. Find an Ordinance; Apply For a Job; Submit a Bid; Submit a Comment; . The Seattle Police Department is honored to announce that Assistant Chief Perry Tarrant was sworn in as the next president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). The policy that I referred to that Mr. Reno had in place was simple. TARRANT, Ala. (AP) A Black Alabama mayor accused of assault by the city's white former police chief claimed Thursday that the two got into a dispute because the chief wouldn't hire. For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. George confirmed that changes to the department made it so that one officer would be in charge of the internal affairs department, rather than a previous system that would tap an available detective or lieutenant to handle complaints. Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. Reno retired after the incident. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. Newton called the assault chargein connection with an argument that happened seven months agoa stunt, while Reno has claimed Newton is only releasing part of the footage. The city of Tarrant considers these actions absolutely irresponsible and reckless, Newton said in a statement announcing Rickelss termination. Tarrant County /QuickLinks.aspx. He said they are two police officers and two firefighters short but said it is not hindering services to the city. Unfortunately, if you look at the city, and if you look at the people who are actually engaged in our politics, the people who make it a point to come and volunteer for our Farmers Market, people who make it a point to volunteer for other.at our rec center, they dont support those individuals. As Marshal Granger approached the man's home, the man opened fire with a 16 gauge shotgun. That has done a tremendous amount of damage to the city, because no one has had their eye on the future.. Newton, the first black mayor of the mostly Black Birmingham suburb of 6,400 people, said there were no Black people on the police force when he became mayor. Chief Rickels had a felony charge and that also involved a gun,' he said. Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton told a news conference that former chief Dennis Reno had a discriminatory practice of refusing to hire African Americans as police officers and wouldnt change it. My grandmother always used to say, The more things change, the more they stay the same, and unfortunately were starting to see the ugly head of the old Tarrant reared itself., Newton said there were no black officers on the force when he took office. The Tarrant Police Department is located on Commerce Circle, and the Chief of Police is Dennis Reno. FL - Feb 09, 2023. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (Jefferson County Jail). The full press conference can be watched in the video player above. He called himself the CEO of the city, and said Bryant and others have unfortunately been put off by the new structure hes installed. He has no regard for the proper procedures to do anything.. The Hurst Police Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency, providing 24-hour response to the needs of the community. The former police chief alleged that Newton closed a door in the mayors office on his arm, but the Tarrant mayor called the allegations false. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. My council has put together a smear campaign saying that Ive been stealing money from the city so in the coming weeks were going to conduct an audit and when those results come back, Ill be able to clear my name on that as well..
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