He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. Hes lying, Reno said of the mayor. He even claimed that he wore a bulletproof vest to council meetings a few times because he feared for his safety. Give me a break! Newton said the discord has continued. Tarrant City Police Department - Tarrant, Alabama. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media 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. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. 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). 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.. 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. Wendell Major has been selected, and approved by the City Council, to take over as the departments top cop. 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. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Newton held a press conference at Tarrant City Hall on Thursday to discuss the case. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). A veteran lawman has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. 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. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday, a month after Rickels was arrested in Georgia on assault, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. He said he went to the jail in Bessemer because he heard that the media was awaiting his arrival at the Birmingham Jail. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. Alabama News Network Staff. Newton turned himself into the Jefferson County Jail on Wednesday and was released a short time later after posting a $1,000 bond. 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.. Reno retired after the incident. I jumped up and I said, Dont you ever curse me again, Reno recalled. Citations. Benbrook Police Department. Tom Green County District Attorney's Office. Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged obtained by Bryant. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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). "All of us at SPD are extremely proud of Chief Perry Tarrant. Reno claimed he was injured when Newton slammed a door on him. But he said people like Bryant and Reno are, in effect, stuck in the past: Theyre longing for a time that was.. And thats what Ive been doing, he said. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, 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.. 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.. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. Were going to continue to rebuild the city. Newton, elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, was arrested June 16, 2021, on the third-degree assault lodged by former police Chief Dennis Reno. 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 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 didnt see anything happen.'. The policy that I referred to that Mr. Reno had in place was simple. When Tarrant returned to his car, Aziz threw the shotgun at it. . 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. Tarrant's arrest. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Perry Tarrant has 34 years of law enforcement experience with the Tucson Police Department. Although the numbers dont tell a damning tale, Newton said, Tarrant historically has had a problem.. Got a tip? Contact the City; Licenses; I Want To. Perry A. Tarrant Full Bio Cerelyn 'CJ' Davis Cerelyn 'CJ' Davis 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.. 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. 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. Newton said he expects the charge against him to be dropped after video of the incident is handed over to the District Attorneys Office. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated.. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. Westlake. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. I wasnt even in the hiring process. Newton said that is partly due to better-paying opportunities and partly due to continued angst brought on by the former police chief. 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. We have lived in the past, he said. 1080 Mercedes Street. 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.. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the city's former police chief swore out a warrant on him. The alleged assault occurred in November after he was elected mayor. SOLD FEB 16, 2023. 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. Bryant wondered why Newton wasnt putting himself on leave given the fact that he fired Rickels for his charge. 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. 1133 East Lake Blvd | Tarrant, AL 35217 | 205-849-2800. a municode design. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the citys former police chief swore out a warrant on him. 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. 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. The chief accused Newton, an attorney, of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder. Send it to The Daily Beast here. 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, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. 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 Newton, the citys first Black Mayor, praised Majors exemplary record of service. 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 resident Waynette Bonham said things seemed to be changing for the better under Newton. 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. Bryant, who is white, also said his opposition to Newton has nothing to do with his race but rather stemmed from Newton trampling on the established ways of doing things and instilling a culture of fear among current and city employees because of his temper. Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing. That is all that was said. I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. I know how things are supposed to be done, he said. I dont take sides between politicians.. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. I didnt cuss him back. 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. Job Opportunities Currently hiring APOST Certified Officers at jobsquest.org Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow Police Contact Information He was released at 4:29 p.m. A call to the Tarrant City Hall and the Mayors Office went unanswered Wednesday afternoon. And hopefully and once it works its way through the proper channels, those videos will be released to the public,' Newton said. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. Bryant wondered why Newton wasnt putting himself on leave given the fact that he fired Rickels for his charge. All rights reserved (About Us). The Hurst Police Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency, providing 24-hour response to the needs of the community. He jumped up from that desk and he said, I want it by f****** Friday!. I actually question the legitimacy of those numbers like I question the legitimacy of the hiring practices of the previous police chief, he added. The Tarrant Police Department is located on Commerce Circle, and the Chief of Police is Dennis Reno. George also shared department data with The Daily Beast that showed how, in 2019, Black drivers represented about 58 percent of those stopped by police, and about 55 percent of stopped drivers in 2020. The fate of a proposed affordable housing project in the often-neglected Las Vegas Trail neighborhood is in doubt, after Tarrant County officials said they will likely claw back $11.6 million in . Newton said hes moving forward with his plans to better the city. 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. Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault, and the mayor surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and was released on bond. 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. Trouble continues brewing among Tarrant city officials. Reno sayshe only worked for Newton for two hours. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. In an ever-evolving city and police department, Deputy Chief Criado embraces new challenges and change. Download original document: Document text This text is machine-read, and may contain errors. Its people like him that every time theyre wrong they start playing the race card, Reno added. At that time, my lieutenant for the police department was in ICU with COVID and I told him I would need a little bit more time to get that information because all of the files was on the lieutenants computer and I said, I dont have access to his computer. He jumps up from his desk and I will tell you exactly what he said. He explained his version of the events during a phone call with The Tribune. Newton, an attorney, is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. In fact, I take those obstacles and I take their attempts to discredit me as motivation to keep going forward.. 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. Certainly, were glad to have him join us, Newton said. That has done a tremendous amount of damage to the city, because no one has had their eye on the future.. He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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). Reno retired on Jan. 1 after more than four decades of police work. The city of Tarrant considers these actions absolutely irresponsible and reckless, Newton said in a statement announcing Rickelss termination. He has no regard for the proper procedures to do anything.. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. View more recently sold homes. Is it me or is it him?. Major has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, beginning his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. WI - Feb 07, 2023. 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. 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, 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. They went through a process with these three people and then they would come to me and recommend who they wanted me to hire. I only worked for him for two hours. 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. 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. 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. 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(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.). At this point Im happy. Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major confirms Bryant was arrested Thursday morning on a theft of services charge. we post and write thousands of news stories a year, most wanted stories, editorials (under categories - blog) and stories of exonerations. Now all of a sudden hes in office and I work for him for two hours and Im a racist? Nearby homes similar to 201 N Tarrant St have recently sold between $367K to $367K at an average of $180 per square foot. 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. 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. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. 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 said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. Site Map. 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. 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.