Give me a break! YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Newton said he feels he represents all of the people that want to change the city. Meanwhile, white drivers made up about 30 percent of stops in 2019, and 27 percent of stops in 2020, numbers that are a bit lower than their 34 percent share of the population. And hopefully and once it works its way through the proper channels, those videos will be released to the public,' Newton said. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. All rights reserved (About Us). He has support,' she said. We have lived in the past, he said. Address 2593 Commerce Circle Birmingham , Alabama , 35217 Phone 205-849-2811 Fax 205-849-2807 Tarrant Police Department / Tarrant City Jail Details Type Local Police Department Full Time Sworn Officers 25 Full Time Civilians 6 Map of Tarrant Police Department / Tarrant City Jail in Birmingham, Alabama 4 Beds. TARRANT Former Tarrant Police Chief Dennis Reno responded Thursday to a press conference held by Mayor Wayman Newton earlier in the day. 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. 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. Video of the November incident was released by the city attorney Thursday evening. 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.. I never had a single complaint against me the entire time I was at Tarrant, about being a racist, Reno continued. Reno retired after the incident because he said he knew he wouldnt be able to work with the new mayor. During his time as mayor, the city has started a low-cost vet clinic, offered food giveaways, and started a new program to help people purchase homes in Tarrant with specialty loans through Regions Bank. But Reno said he has his own video of the incident and it shows the door being slammed on his elbow. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. PA - Feb 06, 2023. They went through a process with these three people and then they would come to me and recommend who they wanted me to hire. Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. 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. Two different standards for two different people, he said. I have never said a racist statement to that guy, never made one, and he plays the race card. According to charging documents, Bryant said the incident happened July 19, 2021, at Tarrant City Hall following a council meeting. 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. He was charged with third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor. Hes lying like Hell! Bryant was arrested back on . Newton was arrested on June 16 and charged with third-degree assault, according to records from the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, which declined to elaborate on the charges prior to publication. Since becoming mayor, Newton has vowed to clean up the city but he said he has faced pushback from the council, former community members as well as former city employees. TCOLE Licensing. 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. And thats what Ive been doing, he said. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. Deputy Chief Mike Woods, 55, a 32-year veteran of the division, will serve as interim chief while the city begins a national search for a permanent chief. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The white 25-year-old said she supports Newton because he has made an attempt to bring needed youth activities to the city, and has helped the police department make great strides. Newton said that is partly due to better-paying opportunities and partly due to continued angst brought on by the former police chief. Other videos, apparently from the next day, show him using the left arm he allegedly injured to carry files and climb out of his pickup truck. I didnt cuss him back. Now all of a sudden hes in office and I work for him for two hours and Im a racist? If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Taylor, who does not buy the assault charge, said her boyfriend is Black, and that for many in the Black community, it has been an open secret that the Tarrant Police Department had no Black police officers and would routinely pull over Black drivers and find excuses to search their cars. He returned to Birmingham to practice law, specializing in real estate. Reno said he hired black officers during his time at Tarrant and said those officers had left the department to go to bigger cities and make more money. Aziz was awarded the New Zealand Cross, New Zealand's highest award for bravery. 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. Tarrant City Council member Tommy Bryant was arrested Monday after he reportedly attacked Mayor Wayman Newton, according to the mayor. The Tarrant mayor said that at that time the city did not have a single black police officer. And as I stated before, there is a video of this incident, which will be released to the authorities. Staff Login X Phone: 817-249-1610. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday, a month after Rickels was arrested in Georgia on assault, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. Major has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, beginning his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections. All Current Year LODDs Tarrant drove away at 1:55 pm. 2 Baths. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Reno believes Newton is making the issue about something that its not. For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton. 1133 East Lake Blvd | Tarrant, AL 35217 | 205-849-2800. a municode design. He jumped up from that desk and he said, I want it by f****** Friday!. That is all that was said. In an interview, the mayor denied ever slamming the door on Renos arm. All rights reserved (About Us). Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. Perry Tarrant has 34 years of law enforcement experience with the Tucson Police Department. Newton, the citys first Black mayor who has often been at odds with the council, was arrested on the charges in 2021 and maintained his innocence in both cases. 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. Brian Steel, Rickels attorney, told AL.com the charges were baseless. But he told The Daily Beast that the police department employs 18 officers. The Tarrant Police Department is located on Commerce Circle, and the Chief of Police is Dennis Reno. He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. Since Reno left the force, he said around 12 officers have left the department. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. 2593 Commerce Circle. Newton, a lawyer who was elected to office last year, was booked in the Jefferson County Jail for 20 minutes Wednesday. I only worked for him for two hours. The incident was caught on camera. 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. Check the . When asked how many black officers were on the force when the new mayor took office, Mayor Newton said there werent any. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (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.). For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. Send it to The Daily Beast here. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. Newton turned himself into the Jefferson County Jail on Wednesday and was released a short time later after posting a $1,000 bond. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The fate of a proposed affordable housing project in the often-neglected Las Vegas Trail neighborhood is in doubt, after Tarrant County officials said they will likely claw back $11.6 million in . Benbrook City Council. 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. I mean come, on. The conversation evolved into a shouting match, Newton said. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated, said Newton. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. It is like he thinks hes God and he rules this city, she said. Deputy Chief David Carabajal We are committed to making our community a safe place to live, work, and visit. There were no black officers, said Newton. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Deanna Taylor is one of those people. Job Opportunities Currently hiring APOST Certified Officers at jobsquest.org Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow Police Contact Information The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. TARRANT The mayor of Tarrant was arrested on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Im glad that we can finally put that behind me.. 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. He supports Newton, does not believe the assault claim, and said he believes the real issue has to do with the changing demographics of the city over the past 30 years, which is now largely minority but was once predominantly white. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) The city of Tarrant has announced it has terminated its fire chief after he was arrested last month in Georgia. He has no regard for the proper procedures to do anything.. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. Phone: (817) 685-1500 The Euless Police Department provides law enforcement service for the community. He was charged with third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor. 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. We would have friends and family that wouldnt come to Tarrant because they were known for it, Taylor said. Alabama News Network Staff. 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. Video of alleged "assault" on former Tarrant Police chief, Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Tarrant City Police Department - Tarrant, Alabama. He explained his version of the events during a phone call with The Tribune. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. Other videos, apparently from the next day, show him using the left arm he allegedly injured to carry files and climb out of his pickup truck. I do not represent the Mayor, Councilor Bryant or any other employee in its individual capacity, he said. Newton, elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, was arrested June 16, 2021, on the third-degree assault lodged by former police Chief Dennis Reno. 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.. As for Reno, he said he is not yet enjoying retirement because he misses going to work every day. Tarrant's arrest. Oh yes, there's trouble, right here in Tarrant City, with a capital "T" that rhymes with "C" that stands for (racist) Conspiracy. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. But he said people like Bryant and Reno are, in effect, stuck in the past: Theyre longing for a time that was., Got a tip? Davis was one of about a dozen residents at City Hall Thursday to support the mayor. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. He said too many longtime residents of the city long for a version back in the 60s and 70s, when it was a different place. Newton said the person was not related to him but was related to a council member. 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. 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. Newton was arrested on Wednesday on a charge of third-degree assault. Regular Council Meetings are held Every 1st and 3rd Monday's of each month @ 7PM. He called himself the CEO of the city, and said Bryant and others have unfortunately been put off by the new structure hes installed. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Electric Department; Fire; Library; Municipal Court; Parks and Recreation; Police; Public Works; Business. 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. Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged obtained by Bryant. We didnt see anything happen.'. 200 Taylor Street - 7th Floor Fort Worth, TX 76196 817-884-3354 The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Registration Unit is responsible for the investigation and enforcement of the Sex Offender Registration Program required in Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. He aint going to cuss me. Newton denied harassing any city employees. That incident ultimately led to a misdemeanor assault charge filed by Reno against Newton. Whos the racist here? Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The mayor in April fired Tarrant Fire Chief Jason Rickels, a month after Rickels was arrested in Georgia on assault and other charges after he allegedly pulled a gun on an Atlanta realtor and her photographer at a property he owns there. Reno said he goes to physical therapy twice a week because of the injury and may have to undergo surgery. by A report from the Fort Worth Police Department shows violent crimes dropped by more than 13% in 2022. . 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. Although the numbers dont tell a damning tale, Newton said, Tarrant historically has had a problem.. 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. Newton said there is video of the alleged assault and he has ordered the city attorney to release the video footage to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office, as well as video of Reno moving out of his office the following day. Citations. OPEN GOV US GOV US. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. TARRANT, Ala. (AP) A Black Alabama mayor accused of assault by the citys white former police chief claimed Thursday that the two got into a dispute because the chief wouldnt hire black officers. Reno claimed he was injured when Newton slammed a door on him. ", Newton said he believes its a small number of former employees and former residents stirring up the controversy. 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. SOLD FEB 16, 2023. along with contact information, are available now on the wvt13m app. At a certain point, I had to remind him that I was the mayor and kicked him out of my office, he told The Daily Beast. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriffs Capt. BREAKING: Tarrant Mayor arrested on assault charge, Finalists for Trussville BOE seat announced, Pinson council presents $60,000 check to schools, Springville softball blow out Pelham, continue dominant season, Obituary: Myra Carroll (August 22, 1937 February 23, 2023), Obituary: Sherry Webster Zorn (August 21, 1948 February 22, 2023), Obituary: Joy Silvey (August 2, 1932 February 26, 2023), Obituary: Grace Mixon (March 6, 1935 February 25, 2023), TCS hires new Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Former local TV anchors appear in PSA for COVID vaccinations, Trussville Police respond to 2 fights at Hewitt-Trussville High School today. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. Were in 2021 and its time for everybody to come together and work together to make this a great city., Hes going to make it. 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. The chief walked away like nothing happened,' she said. Theyve been trying to do everything that they could possibly do to discredit me, and as theyve seen, Im not going anywhere,' he said. 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. I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. A day after his arrest, Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. 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. As Marshal Granger approached the man's home, the man opened fire with a 16 gauge shotgun. For further clarity of these information, therefore, visit the website or call 817-276-4700 for more. 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Newton, the citys first Black Mayor, praised Majors exemplary record of service. Posted on Monday, November 23, 2020. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. Wendell Major has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. I dont mind changes, if theyre done like theyre supposed to be done. The white 25-year-old said she supports Newton because he has made an attempt to bring needed youth activities to the city, and has helped the police department make great strides. I only worked for him for two hours. Tarrant Police Department 2593 Commerce Cir Tarrant, AL 35217 205-849-2811 The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is the police department that serves the area, where Mike Hale is the sheriff. I dont take sides between politicians.. 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.. Tue, Mar 14 . He said four of those officers are Black, and that all were hired after Reno resigned from his position as chief of police on Jan. 1. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. Westlake. 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 mayor said he will address the warrant at a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday. 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.