Newton denied harassing any city employees. 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. 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. Im very, very excited.. Theyre putting out what they want,' he said. Major could be sworn in as early as Sept. 2. And so, unfortunately, its going to probably be another three years, but I feel certain that in 2024, that the citizens are going to clean house and we will actually have a council that is representative of the city and that wants to move the city forward.. Deanna Taylor is one of those people. Chief Perry Tarrant has 34 years of law enforcement experience and is a retired captain with the Tucson Police Department and a past assistant chief of the Seattle Police Department. (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.). Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 2,044 Sq. Newton said the opposition reached its apex last week, when Dennis Reno, the white former chief of police in Tarrant, accused the mayor of assaulting him during a conversation in Newtons office a day after his swearing-in back in November. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. The mayors bench trial which means evidence and testimony were presented only to the judge, not a jury - was held earlier this month before Jefferson County District Judge Katrina Ross. along with contact information, are available now on the wvt13m app. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the citys former police chief swore out a warrant on him. 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. The Tarrant Police Department is located on Commerce Circle, and the Chief of Police is Dennis Reno. 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. Chief Rickels had a felony charge and that also involved a gun,' he said. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. Reno sayshe only worked for Newton for two hours. When reached for comment, Newton said there had been a warrant taken out on him and that he had gotten it taken care of. I only worked for him for two hours. Perry Tarrant has 34 years of law enforcement experience with the Tucson Police Department. A veteran lawman has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. 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. Now all of a sudden hes in office and I work for him for two hours and Im a racist? TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) The city of Tarrant has announced it has terminated its fire chief after he was arrested last month in Georgia. Newton, an attorney and Tarrants first Black mayor, is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. Texas police officer decertifications Locations: United States of America -> Texas Topics: Police Misconduct. Newton was also acquitted on a harassment charge obtained by city council member . It is like he thinks hes God and he rules this city, she said. Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged obtained by Bryant. And as I stated before, there is a video of this incident, which will be released to the authorities. 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. I jumped up and I said, Dont you ever curse me again, Reno recalled. Perry Tarrant Assistant Chief, Seattle Police Department Speaker, Designing Cities conference Assistant Chief Perry Tarrant commands the Special Operations Bureau of the Seattle Police Department. 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. 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There has been discord in the city since Newton took office, and he says thats because some people are resistant to change. 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. There were no black officers, said Newton. He has been on workmans comp since the injury. Bryant also blamed the mayor for firing people without the input of other city officials, such as when he axed Jason Rickels, the former fire department chief in Tarrant, after Rickels was arrested in Georgia in March. He has support,' she said. Newton denied any wrongdoing and released a video that he says proves he didnt assault the ex-chief. Newton said the person was not related to him but was related to a council member. who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. 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. Newton, an attorney, is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. 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. When Tarrant returned to his car, Aziz threw the shotgun at it. He returned to Birmingham to practice law, specializing in real estate. Tarrant's arrest. Sign up now! When he was released, the young mayor posted security-camera videos on Facebook that appear to show Reno leaving the mayors office and calmly closing the door on his way out. He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. There was nothing about racism, nothing about me not hiring any blacks or anything. Police Dept. Give me a break! She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. WI - Feb 07, 2023. Fax: 817-249-4803. 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. Although the numbers dont tell a damning tale, Newton said, Tarrant historically has had a problem.. 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.. He jumped up from that desk and he said, I want it by f****** Friday!. For the second time in one week, city councilman Tommie Bryant was arrested.According to Tarrant's police chief, the latest arrest happened Thursday morning."He turned himself in at the county jail today on an outstanding warrant for theft of services," chief Wendell Major explained. The alleged assault occurred in November after he was elected mayor. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. Is it me or is it him?. 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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. In an ever-evolving city and police department, Deputy Chief Criado embraces new challenges and change. He also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and consulted with the U.S. Department of State in training police forces in Afghanistan. Trouble continues brewing among Tarrant city officials. 2593 Commerce Circle. I actually question the legitimacy of those numbers like I question the legitimacy of the hiring practices of the previous police chief, he added. Contact the City; Licenses; I Want To. Jones, who currently serves as the chief of Baltimore County Police Department's Community Relations Bureau, was selected through a robust . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Reno on Friday said Newton released only part of the video. Hes lying like Hell! Reno retired on Jan. 1 after more than four decades of police work. For further clarity of these information, therefore, visit the website or call 817-276-4700 for more. During the press conference Thursday, Newton explained his versions of the incident that happened on Nov. 3, 2020. Jason Rickles was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second-degree criminal damage to property and possession of a deadly weapon after an incident in Roswell, Ga. on March 12. I mean come, on. 1133 East Lake Blvd Tarrant, AL 35217 (205) 849-2800 . Were not in the 50s anymore. Check the . All rights reserved (About Us). Watch video of the incident below: Newton also said that since he took office, he has faced push back from city officials in multiple departments, stating that many are resistant to the changes Newton campaigned on. Reno denies the claim that he didnt want to hire black officers. Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing.