And thats what Ive been doing, he said. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. The charge comes after former Police Chief Dennis Reno claimed that Newton slammed a door on him shortly after he was put into office. 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. Since Reno left the force, he said around 12 officers have left the department. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. Newton was sworn in as the citys mayor in November 2020. He said he hopes to succeed in that endeavor. 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. Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. The charge carries a bond of $1,000. 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. The judge on Friday issued her orders declaring Newton not guilty in both cases. Im a man. Additional Information. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Newton, the citys first Black Mayor, praised Majors exemplary record of service. Newton turned himself into the Jefferson County Jail on Wednesday and was released a short time later after posting a $1,000 bond. Posted on Monday, November 23, 2020. Jones, who currently serves as the chief of Baltimore County Police Department's Community Relations Bureau, was selected through a robust . Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. Veteran lawman named first Black police chief in Tarrant In an ever-evolving city and police department, Deputy Chief Criado embraces new challenges and change. Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. 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. 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. Newton said the discord has continued. Phone: (817) 685-1500 The Euless Police Department provides law enforcement service for the community. According to jail records, Newton turned himself into the Jefferson County Jail at 4:09 p.m. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated., Asked for a response to the mayors statement, Reno last year said, I only worked for him for two hours. Tarrant Arrests and Warrants | Alabama Jail Inmate Search Video of the November incident was released by the city attorney Thursday evening. In an interview, the mayor denied ever slamming the door on Renos arm. View more recently sold homes. She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. Pembroke Pines Police Department. 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. Newton denied any wrongdoing and released a video that he says proves he didnt assault the ex-chief. McKeesport Police Department. by As for his shoulder, he said he might have to have surgery but that doctors are doing all they can to prevent that from happening. There were no black officers, said Newton. Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major confirms Bryant was arrested Thursday morning on a theft of services charge. 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. 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. Call (205) 849-2800 for more 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.). 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. Tarrant resident Waynette Bonham said things seemed to be changing for the better under Newton. 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). Tarrant Mayor-elect Wayman Newton was sworn in on Nov. 2, 2020 as the city's first Black mayor. Wendell Major has been selected, and approved by the City Council, to take over as the departments top cop. Sources say former Police Chief Dennis Reno pressed charges against the new mayor in connection to an incident between the two that happened after Newton was sworn into office. He called the charges a political stunt to smear his name. I never even got involved in the interviews, said Reno. dustin blake wood in texas tarrant county 11/12/1985 at 12:00. notice: mugshots.com is a news organization. Tarrant City Councilman arrested twice in one week 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. Mayor Loxcil Tuck, 87, elected the citys first woman mayor in 2004, retired from politics. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). There has been discord in the city since Newton took office, and he says thats because some people are resistant to change. 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. 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. Benbrook City Council. 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 was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. It is like he thinks hes God and he rules this city, she said. He aint going to cuss me. Reno did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this story. I didnt cuss him back. 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. The city of Tarrant considers these actions absolutely irresponsible and reckless, Newton said in a statement announcing Rickelss termination. Im fairly certain that once people had an opportunity to look at these videos, theyre going to know the truth., Again, Im not above the law and so this is a criminal matter and its going to work its way through the courts,' he said. All contents copyright 2021 Associated Press. Tarrant, AL Home Page | Tarrant, AL 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. Job Opportunities Currently hiring APOST Certified Officers at jobsquest.org Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow Police Contact Information 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. 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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. 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. 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. SOLD FEB 16, 2023. Clara Palmore and her husband were also there to support Newton. 2023 Benbrook Business & Community Showcase (BBCS) View All . He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. 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. TX - Nov 13, 2022. The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. 4 Beds. I fully believe, expect that, I will be fully exonerated., Tarrant resident Trulane Davis attended Thursdays press conference and said she was standing right there when the alleged assault happened. 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. 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). Laura Horton, 73, who served on the city council for 20 years before losing her re-election bid in 2020, echoed Bryants assessment of Newton. Deanna Taylor is one of those people. 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. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. 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. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. But he said people like Bryant and Reno are, in effect, stuck in the past: Theyre longing for a time that was.. 1133 East Lake Blvd | Tarrant, AL 35217 | 205-849-2800. a municode design. 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. PA - Feb 06, 2023. Emergency visits to Tarrant City Jail are also allowed, subject to the on-duty Watch Commander's approval. Contact the City; Licenses; I Want To. 4 were here. 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. He said they are two police officers and two firefighters short but said it is not hindering services to the city. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). Sign up now! Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. 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. Give me a break! Copyright All rights reserved. Tarrant councilman Tommy Bryant jailed after Mayor Wayman Newton says Newton denied harassing any city employees. He returned to Birmingham to practice law, specializing in real estate. 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. WI - Feb 07, 2023. I dont take sides between politicians.. I do not represent the Mayor, Councilor Bryant or any other employee in its individual capacity, he said. Newton said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. He jumped up from that desk and he said, I want it by f****** Friday!. Walter Franklin Granger Marshal Walter Granger was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had assaulted a boy earlier in the day. 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.. 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. Former Tarrant Police Chief responds to Mayor's claims of Tarrant, Alabama, has been gripped by a saga that some say reflects the rise of a ruthless politician and others see as the last gasp of a white power structure that wont let go. The conversation evolved into a shouting match, Newton said. Got a tip? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Tarrant's Police Chief reacts to Councilman Tommy Bryant's arrest Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021, after 42 years in law enforcement. He does not plan to resign as mayor even though he fired the former fire chief after he was arrested on an assault charge because he said his own charge is a misdemeanor, and the charge against the former fire chief involved felony charges and a firearm. He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. And to quote him exactly is, I dont hire black officers because black officers dont like to police their own.. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Newton surrendered to authorities. Tarrant Police Department | Tarrant City AL - Facebook We strive to maintain our citizens' trust and confidence in their Police Department by maintaining a high degree of integrity and professionalism among all Police employees. Tarrant County, Texas (TX) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. They went through a process with these three people and then they would come to me and recommend who they wanted me to hire. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Reno retired after the incident. Reno believes Newton is making the issue about something that its not. Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. 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. Find an Ordinance; Apply For a Job; Submit a Bid; Submit a Comment; . My thing is, I was elected to run the city. Although the numbers dont tell a damning tale, Newton said, Tarrant historically has had a problem.. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Tarrant FD fires chief who was arrested in Georgia after - CBS 42