Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. TX - Nov 13, 2022. Newton said the person was not related to him but was related to a council member. Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault, and the mayor surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and was released on bond. 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. 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. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. 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. The fire department is also short two firefighters and neither department has a chief at this time. Major has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, beginning his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections. 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. 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. 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. Major earned his criminal justice degree from UAB, and his law degree from Birmingham School of Law. He was charged with third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor. Fort Worth Assistant Police Chief Robert Alldredge told city council members there were . He accused Newton of failing to fill important vacant positions in the city, like the city clerk and the chief of police. 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. After months of pushback from the majority of council members, Newton said he hopes the city can eventually move in a positive direction. PA - Feb 06, 2023. We appreciate the community's help in keeping everyone safe. 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 didnt cuss him back. My council has put together a smear campaign saying that Ive been stealing money from the city so in the coming weeks were going to conduct an audit and when those results come back, Ill be able to clear my name on that as well.. 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. The mayor said he will address the warrant at a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday. The former chief said thats what started the verbal altercation. 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He was charged with third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor. The chief walked away like nothing happened,' she said. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the city's former police chief swore out a warrant on him. Reno claimed he was injured when Newton slammed a door on him. 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. 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. Newton said hes moving forward with his plans to better the city. 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. I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. He has been on workmans comp since the injury. I dont take sides between politicians.. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. along with contact information, are available now on the wvt13m app. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. He called himself the CEO of the city, and said Bryant and others have unfortunately been put off by the new structure hes installed. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. Bryant accused Newton of shouting an expletive F#*&- several times, and then, F#*& your wife multiple times and finally saying, Im going to F#*& your wife several times as well as some other sexually explicit comments. Im very, very excited.. The two divisions within the Department, Administrative Services and Operational Services, provide numerous specialized public safety services to the citizens of Hurst. 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. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Bryant wondered why Newton wasnt putting himself on leave given the fact that he fired Rickels for his charge. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriffs Capt. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. 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. Police Department | Mansfield, TX Careers Records & Reports Jail Contact Us Animal Care & Control Compliments/ Complaints Stay Connected Police Newsroom & Events Police Events City Events March 2023 There are no published events in current month. 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. Since becoming mayor, Newton has vowed to "clean up the city" but he said he has faced pushback from the. 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. 2 Baths. In an interview with The Daily Beast, Bryant pushed back against any problems with race that the city and police department may have faced in the past. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. It is like he thinks hes God and he rules this city, she said. 2,044 Sq. 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 was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. Aziz was awarded the New Zealand Cross, New Zealand's highest award for bravery. 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. 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. Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Im more than qualified to be the mayor of Tarrant. Major could be sworn in as early as Sept. 2. Newton was elected Aug. 25. Lets get to the bottom of it and see who is lying.. 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. He aint going to cuss me. Reno sayshe only worked for Newton for two hours. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton said he plans to be exonerated of a misdemeanor assault charge lodged against him by the citys former police chief. A report from the Fort Worth Police Department shows violent crimes dropped by more than 13% in 2022. . He returned to Birmingham to practice law, specializing in real estate. (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.). 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. Posted on Monday, November 23, 2020. City Ordinances. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. In an interview, the mayor denied ever slamming the door on Renos arm. The visits at Tarrant City Jail take place on Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Benbrook City Council. I have never said a racist statement to that guy, never made one, and he plays the race card. 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Citations. 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. In an ever-evolving city and police department, Deputy Chief Criado embraces new challenges and change. The police department is short two officers, Newton said. 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.. But when he stood up in that desk and said that to me, I knew good and well right then I wasnt going to throw a 42-year career away off somebody like him. Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. He even claimed that he wore a bulletproof vest to council meetings a few times because he feared for his safety. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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.. Newton said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. 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. There has been discord in the city since Newton took office, and he says thats because some people are resistant to change. 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.. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. 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.. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. Find an Ordinance; Apply For a Job; Submit a Bid; Submit a Comment; . We have lived in the past, he said. Newton, a lawyer who was elected to office last year, was booked in the Jefferson County Jail for 20 minutes Wednesday. This type of conduct will not be tolerated, and employees that choose to engage in such behavior will be dealt with swiftly and severely.. I hope it dont offend you. 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). 1133 East Lake Blvd Tarrant, AL 35217 (205) 849-2800 . 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. City Manager Trey Yelverton has appointed Col. Al Jones, a 25-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department, as the City of Arlington's new police chief. TARRANT, Ala. (WBRC) - Tarrant City Councilman Tommy Bryant was arrested Thursday morning, Nov. 10, his second arrest this week, after a towing company says he drove away in his vehicle without paying. by Emergency visits to Tarrant City Jail are also allowed, subject to the on-duty Watch Commander's approval. 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. Ft. 9960 Mescalbean, Fort Worth, TX 76036. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. Learn more. Staff Login X Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. Police | Tarrant, AL Police Call 911 in case of emergency. 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. 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? Deanna Taylor is one of those people. He said Reno told him he hadnt hired Black officers because they werent qualified, and couldnt be trusted to police their own. Contact the City; Licenses; I Want To. There were no black officers, said Newton. Reno said his left elbow was injured in the incident. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. 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). At this point Im happy. 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. In fact, I take those obstacles and I take their attempts to discredit me as motivation to keep going forward.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Hes lying like Hell! 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.