View All 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. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. 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. 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Asked why he went all the way to the Bessemer Cutoff to surrender, Newton said, It was evident that this is a political stunt, and it was made known to me that the media was at the Birmingham location.. Download original document: Document text This text is machine-read, and may contain errors. 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. I never had a single complaint against me the entire time I was at Tarrant, about being a racist, Reno continued. Brian Steel, Rickels attorney, told AL.com the charges were baseless. Newton said hes moving forward with his plans to better the city. 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. 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. Newton said the person was not related to him but was related to a council member. 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. 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. The mayor is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. 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. Westlake Fire operates on this system using Site 3 (Northeast Tarrant), Westlake contracts with the City of Keller for police and animal control services. 1133 East Lake Blvd | Tarrant, AL 35217 | 205-849-2800. a municode design. 2023 Benbrook Business & Community Showcase (BBCS) View All . 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Tom Green County District Attorney's Office. 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. 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 Police Chief Wendell Major confirms Bryant was arrested Thursday morning on a theft of services charge. In an interview, the mayor denied ever slamming the door on Renos arm. McKeesport Police Department. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. 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). 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. Email Us. 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Chief Wendell Major said this all stems from an argument between Councilman Bryant and Mayor Newton. He jumped up from that desk and he said, I want it by f****** Friday!. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. 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.. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. 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. And so this opportunity and burden has been placed on me and I fully expect to rise to the occasion and face the day.. PA - Feb 06, 2023. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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 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 was also acquitted on a harassment charge obtained by city council member Tommy Bryant who signed the misdemeanor warrant against him claiming the mayor made, in part, sexually explicit comments about the councilmans wife. 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. (Jefferson County Jail). The judge on Friday issued her orders declaring Newton not guilty in both cases. 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. We have lived in the past, he said. Tarrant County /QuickLinks.aspx. A day after his arrest, Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. 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). He even claimed that he wore a bulletproof vest to council meetings a few times because he feared for his safety. Tarrant City Council member Tommy Bryant was arrested Monday after he reportedly attacked Mayor Wayman Newton, according to the mayor. Aziz was awarded the New Zealand Cross, New Zealand's highest award for bravery. Sign up now! 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. FL - Feb 09, 2023. When Tarrant returned to his car, Aziz threw the shotgun at it. . North Texas Interoperable Radio Network (NTIRN) Project 25 Phase II. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. Wendell Major has been selected, and approved by the City Council, to take over as the departments top cop. Racial Profiling Policy. 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.. 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. 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. I only worked for him for two hours. The fire department is also short two firefighters and neither department has a chief at this time. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. Police | Tarrant, AL Police Call 911 in case of emergency. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Newton, the citys first Black Mayor, praised Majors exemplary record of service. 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. People have been trying to throw obstacles in my way. My thing is, I was elected to run the city. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. (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.). Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Business . Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. He accused Newton of failing to fill important vacant positions in the city, like the city clerk and the chief of police. Newton was sworn in as the citys mayor in November 2020. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. Whos the racist here? Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media Newton was elected Aug. 25. The conversation evolved into a shouting match, Newton said. Because thats the only thing he can come up with.. Newton, a lawyer who was elected to office last year, was booked in the Jefferson County Jail for 20 minutes Wednesday. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. 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. You can watch Newtons full press conference and reaction from his supporters below. 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. Were going to continue to rebuild the city. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. Deputy Chief David Carabajal 4 were here. So, the guy didnt know what he was talking about.. 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. They went through a process with these three people and then they would come to me and recommend who they wanted me to hire. along with contact information, are available now on the wvt13m app. Staff Login X (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. ", Newton said he believes its a small number of former employees and former residents stirring up the controversy. 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 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. The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. 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, an attorney, is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. Perry Tarrant has 34 years of law enforcement experience with the Tucson Police Department. The chief accused Newton, an attorney, of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder. Reno retired after the incident because he said he knew he wouldnt be able to work with the new mayor. Tarrant resident Waynette Bonham said things seemed to be changing for the better under Newton. Newton said he feels he represents all of the people that want to change the city. Staff Login X 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. 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. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) The city of Tarrant has announced it has terminated its fire chief after he was arrested last month in Georgia. 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. Ill take a voice stress analysist and a polygraph with the person of his (Newtons) choosing. My thing is, I was elected to run the city. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. All rights reserved (About Us). He said Reno told him he hadnt hired Black officers because they werent qualified, and couldnt be trusted to police their own. Got a tip? Newton denied any wrongdoing and released a video that he says proves he didnt assault the ex-chief. Newton surrendered to authorities. Tarrant, AL 35217. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday, a month after Rickels was arrested in Georgia on assault, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. 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. I wasnt even in the hiring process. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. Tarrant Police Department | Tarrant City AL Copyright All rights reserved. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. 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? All contents copyright 2021 Associated Press. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. Send it to The Daily Beast here. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. Emergency visits to Tarrant City Jail are also allowed, subject to the on-duty Watch Commander's approval. He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. SOLD FEB 16, 2023. And thats what Ive been doing, he said. 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. He was released at 4:29 p.m. A call to the Tarrant City Hall and the Mayors Office went unanswered Wednesday afternoon. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Theyre putting out what they want,' he said. At this point Im happy. He never gave me a chance.. Newton denied harassing any city employees. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). Newton, who has called a 10 a.m. press conference at Tarrant City Hall, on Thursday released this statement: 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., 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. TX - Nov 13, 2022. The two divisions within the Department, Administrative Services and Operational Services, provide numerous specialized public safety services to the citizens of Hurst. We didnt see anything happen.'. Money Services Business Registrations; Moter Carriers I dont mind changes, if theyre done like theyre supposed to be done. Newton said he expects the charge against him to be dropped after video of the incident is handed over to the District Attorneys Office. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Two different standards for two different people, he said. I mean come, on. Major replaces former Chief Dennis Reno, who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton. Im glad that we can finally put that behind me.. 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. Newton, a lawyer who was elected to office last year, was booked in the Jefferson County Jail for 20 minutes Wednesday. Chief Perry Tarranthas 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. 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. He accused Newton of failing to fill important vacant positions in the city, like the city clerk and the chief of police. He said he cant comment on the case because of ongoing litigation. That incident ultimately led to a misdemeanor assault charge filed by Reno against Newton. Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. Tarrant drove away at 1:55 pm. 1133 East Lake Blvd Tarrant, AL 35217 (205) 849-2800 . Fort Worth Assistant Police Chief Robert Alldredge told city council members there were . Tarrant Mayor-elect Wayman Newton was sworn in on Nov. 2, 2020 as the city's first Black mayor. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. Job Opportunities Currently hiring APOST Certified Officers at jobsquest.org Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow Police Contact Information That has done a tremendous amount of damage to the city, because no one has had their eye on the future.. Reno sayshe only worked for Newton for two hours. 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. Its people like him that every time theyre wrong they start playing the race card, Reno added. 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. That has done a tremendous amount of damage to the city, because no one has had their eye on the future.. Now all of a sudden hes in office and I work for him for two hours and Im a racist? The mayor said he will address the warrant at a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday. Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. Bryant wondered why Newton wasnt putting himself on leave given the fact that he fired Rickels for his charge. Alabama News Network Staff. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. 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. Video of the November incident was released by the city attorney Thursday evening. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated.. Benbrook City Council. 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. Oh yes, there's trouble, right here in Tarrant City, with a capital "T" that rhymes with "C" that stands for (racist) Conspiracy. He called himself the CEO of the city, and said Bryant and others have unfortunately been put off by the new structure hes installed. 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. Nearby homes similar to 201 N Tarrant St have recently sold between $367K to $367K at an average of $180 per square foot. Bryant said he isnt opposed to changes in the city, but believes Newton is going about things in an aggressive way. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 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. 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). Additional Information. Mayor Loxcil Tuck, 87, elected the citys first woman mayor in 2004, retired from politics. 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. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. The charge comes after former Police Chief Dennis Reno claimed that Newton slammed a door on him shortly after he was put into office. Clara Palmore and her husband were also there to support Newton. The visits at Tarrant City Jail take place on Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. Newton denied harassing any city employees. 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). This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated, said Newton. 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.