Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged obtained by Bryant. 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 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. Im in charge of employees, he told The Daily Beast. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Brian Steel, Rickels attorney, told AL.com the charges were baseless. 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. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday, a month after Rickels was arrested in Georgia on assault, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. WI - Feb 07, 2023. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. 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.. The chief walked away like nothing happened,' she said. Newton, elected in 2020 as the city's first Black mayor,. I hope it dont offend you. Me and my husband are behind him 100 percent and were going to see this thing turn around., It feels good to know that people are supporting me and also people that actually witnessed the incident are standing behind me and speaking the truth,' Newton said. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. 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.. He aint going to cuss me. Send it to The Daily Beast here. 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 said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. 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. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated.. 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. 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. Although the numbers dont tell a damning tale, Newton said, Tarrant historically has had a problem.. 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. The problem is, the four individuals on the council, they know their time is up, Newton said. Major has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, beginning his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections. 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. 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. Im very, very excited.. Give me a break! Copyright All rights reserved. He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. So, the guy didnt know what he was talking about.. There has been discord in the city since Newton took office, and he says thats because some people are resistant to change. 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. dustin blake wood in texas tarrant county 11/12/1985 at 12:00. notice: mugshots.com is a news organization. Because thats the only thing he can come up with.. 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. Tarrant resident Waynette Bonham said things seemed to be changing for the better under Newton. 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. (Facebook). 4 were here. The two divisions within the Department, Administrative Services and Operational Services, provide numerous specialized public safety services to the citizens of Hurst. 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). During the press conference Thursday, Newton explained his versions of the incident that happened on Nov. 3, 2020. Find an Ordinance; Apply For a Job; Submit a Bid; Submit a Comment; . Ill take a voice stress analysist and a polygraph with the person of his (Newtons) choosing. He called the charges a political stunt to smear his name. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. The conversation evolved into a shouting match, Newton said. Newton was elected Aug. 25. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. According to jail records, Newton turned himself into the Jefferson County Jail at 4:09 p.m. He said he hopes to succeed in that endeavor. TCOLE Licensing. The chief accused Newton, an attorney, of slamming a door on Reno. Copyright All rights reserved. Reno did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this story. He said it was created by a former employee and is, for lack of any way else of describing it, its just basically a racist page that smears my name and makes it the point to keep up division in the city., I have the truth behind me,' he said, and the truth is going to set me free.. 1133 East Lake Blvd | Tarrant, AL 35217 | 205-849-2800. a municode design. 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 city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Its my hope that once this video footage is released to the district attorney, theyll make the right decision and see this for what it is just a political stunt, just to smear my name,' Newton said. Tarrant City Police Department - Tarrant, Alabama. "All of us at SPD are extremely proud of Chief Perry Tarrant. 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. Theyve blocked him from making what he and some locals describe as needed changes to the police department in a city mostly comprised of Black and Latino residents, he said. Were not in the 50s anymore. He accused Newton of failing to fill important vacant positions in the city, like the city clerk and the chief of police. 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. 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.. 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. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. 4 were here. Regular Council Meetings are held Every 1st and 3rd Monday's of each month @ 7PM. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. 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. FL - Feb 09, 2023. Newton said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. He said they are two police officers and two firefighters short but said it is not hindering services to the city. Contact the City; Licenses; I Want 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. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. He said it all started during a conversation about hiring practices at the police department. The mayor has not named replacements for Rickels or Reno. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. Money Services Business Registrations; Moter Carriers Reno retired on Jan. 1 after more than four decades of police work. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. 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. Newton was also acquitted on a harassment charge obtained by city council member . Im glad that we can finally put that behind me.. We have lived in the past, he said. Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021, after 42 years in law enforcement. (Jefferson County Jail). Tarrant City Council member Tommy Bryant was arrested Monday after he reportedly attacked Mayor Wayman Newton, according to the mayor. 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. 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. Type: Police Departments Population Served: 8148 Now all of a sudden hes in office and I work for him for two hours and Im a racist? Phone: (817) 685-1500 The Euless Police Department provides law enforcement service for the community. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. 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. 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 He even claimed that he wore a bulletproof vest to council meetings a few times because he feared for his safety. 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. Newton on Thursday said Majors record of service proves hes the right man for the job and said he looks forward to having him as the departments chief. A day after his arrest, Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. Emergency visits to Tarrant City Jail are also allowed, subject to the on-duty Watch Commander's approval. . Deputy Chief David Carabajal Newton said Reno told him that he didnt hire Black officers because Black officers dont like to police their own.. Country: United States Address 1: 2593 Commerce Cir City: Tarrant State: Alabama Zip Code: 35217-2352 County: Jefferson County Phone #: 205-849-2811 Fax #: 205-849-2807. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Reno on Friday said Newton released only part of the video. 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. My thing is, I was elected to run the city. At a later press conference, Newton said Reno 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Newton late Thursday night posted a series of videos on Facebook, including the one of the alleged assault and others that showed Reno carrying out various activities using his injured arm. I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. Newton said he also started an environmental task force and he is currently working on a project to refurbish and use vacant buildings and on a plan to bring a charter school to the city. 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. View more recently sold homes. 2,044 Sq. Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. 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. Reno retired after the incident. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. brittany: weeks after a tarrant councilman used a racial slur during a city meeting, the town's first black police chief wendell major is announc.ed wvtm 13's brea douglas met with him and mayor wayman newton, who nominated major during a racially tense time in tarrant. 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. He said Reno told him he hadnt hired Black officers because they werent qualified, and couldnt be trusted to police their own. At a press conference held about his arrest, 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. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. Certainly, were glad to have him join us, Newton said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. He never gave me a chance.. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. I do not represent the Mayor, Councilor Bryant or any other employee in its individual capacity, he said. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the citys former police chief swore out a warrant on him. A veteran lawman has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. Staff Login X Tom Green County District Attorney's Office. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton said he plans to be exonerated of a misdemeanor assault charge lodged against him by the citys former police chief. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated, said Newton. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Additional Information. Newton, a lawyer who was elected to office last year, was booked in the Jefferson County Jail for 20 minutes Wednesday. Sign up now! 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. We have people kicking against change and we need change,' she said. After months of pushback from the majority of council members, Newton said he hopes the city can eventually move in a positive direction. TARRANT Former Tarrant Police Chief Dennis Reno responded Thursday to a press conference held by Mayor Wayman Newton earlier in the day. 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. 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. 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. 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 can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. 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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. Got a tip? OPEN GOV US GOV US. 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.. we post and write thousands of news stories a year, most wanted stories, editorials (under categories - blog) and stories of exonerations. 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. Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. And thats what Ive been doing, he said. I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. Pembroke Pines Police Department. When asked how many black officers were on the force when the new mayor took office, Mayor Newton said there werent any. The charge carries a bond of $1,000. 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 said too many longtime residents of the city long for a version back in the 60s and 70s, when it was a different place. The alleged assault occurred in November after he was elected mayor. (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. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. Tarrant Police Department | Tarrant City AL 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. Police | Tarrant, AL Police Call 911 in case of emergency. 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.. Find an Ordinance; Apply For a Job; Submit a Bid; Submit a Comment; . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Tarrant Mayor-elect Wayman Newton was sworn in on Nov. 2, 2020 as the city's first Black mayor. 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. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. He jumped up from that desk and he said, I want it by f****** Friday!. The policy that I referred to that Mr. Reno had in place was simple. Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing. I dont take sides between politicians.. Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault, and the mayor surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and was released on bond. Newton denied any wrongdoing and released a video that he says proves he didnt assault the ex-chief. 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. Posted on Monday, November 23, 2020. 1133 East Lake Blvd Tarrant, AL 35217 (205) 849-2800 . Learn more. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Staff Login X Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. All rights reserved (About Us). Newton was arrested on Wednesday on a charge of third-degree assault. 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. I wasnt even in the hiring process. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 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. Perry A. Tarrant Full Bio Cerelyn 'CJ' Davis Cerelyn 'CJ' Davis I know how things are supposed to be done, he said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. He said he cant comment on the case because of ongoing litigation. 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.. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. Bryant said he isnt opposed to changes in the city, but believes Newton is going about things in an aggressive way. 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. Tarrant's arrest. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. I didnt cuss him back. Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. Newton, elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, is charged with third-degree assault of former Chief Dennis Reno. Site Map. Jones, who currently serves as the chief of Baltimore County Police Department's Community Relations Bureau, was selected through a robust . Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. North Texas Interoperable Radio Network (NTIRN) Project 25 Phase II. 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. A veteran lawman has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant.