Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. Tarrant resident Waynette Bonham said things seemed to be changing for the better under Newton. The alleged assault occurred in November after he was elected mayor. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. 4 were here. Reno did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this story. 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. 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. Police Department :: City of Nashville He even claimed that he wore a bulletproof vest to council meetings a few times because he feared for his safety. 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.. Chief Rickels had a felony charge and that also involved a gun,' he said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Tarrant resident Waynette Bonham said things seemed to be changing for the better under Newton. 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. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. The Tarrant mayor claimed that Dennis Reno, the former Tarrant Police Chief, wouldnt hire black police officers and that disagreement led to the November altercation. Im more than qualified to be the mayor of Tarrant. Captain Wendell Major makes history as Tarrant's first Black police chief And thats what Ive been doing, he said. Thailand's 'most beautiful transgender woman' and husband wear $580K in attire at extravagant wedding, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; 'We are coming,' sheriff says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh's new mugshot revealed after double life sentence, Rebel Wilson says she was banned from Disneyland for 30 days for taking a bathroom selfie, SoCal in for cool start to weekend, but light rain makes brief return, A Wisconsin crochet prodigy made blankets for Giannis' sons after getting Bucks tickets from Michael Strahan, Mathieu De St. Phalle's hat trick can't save Wisconsin from OT loss to Michigan in Big Ten quarterfinal, Vermont Varsity Insider Athletes of the Week: Winners for the 2022-23 school year. Now all of a sudden hes in office and I work for him for two hours and Im a racist? who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Deanna Taylor is one of those people. Contact the City; Licenses; I Want To. 1080 Mercedes Street. 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. Two different standards for two different people, he said. 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. We appreciate the community's help in keeping everyone safe. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Police | Benbrook, TX - Official Website 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. For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. He cited a Facebook page called Whats Really Happening in the New Tarrant, as a source for much of the trouble. 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). Sex Offender Registration - Tarrant County TX Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021, after 42 years in law enforcement. 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. He said it all started during a conversation about hiring practices at the police department. The Hurst Police Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency, providing 24-hour response to the needs of the community. 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Cold Cases, Missing and Unsolved Crimes. Columbus Police chief Thomas Quinlan resigns, Mayor Ginther says If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. He has support,' she said. 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. He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. 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. I wasnt shocked because I knew I didnt do any of the stuff they accused me of doing, Newton said Wednesday. Im more than qualified to be the mayor of Tarrant. 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 was arrested on Wednesday on a charge of third-degree assault. 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. Davis was one of about a dozen residents at City Hall Thursday to support the mayor. Regular Council Meetings are held Every 1st and 3rd Monday's of each month @ 7PM. She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. Copyright All rights reserved. I dont mind changes, if theyre done like theyre supposed to be done. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Mayor of Tarrant Says Former Police Chief Refused to Hire Black 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. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. In an interview, the mayor denied ever slamming the door on Renos arm. 2 Baths. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. Clara Palmore and her husband were also there to support Newton. Al Jones Appointed as New Arlington Police Chief - City of Arlington This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated, said Newton. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) The city of Tarrant has announced it has terminated its fire chief after he was arrested last month in Georgia. Best search engine for True crime stories | Mugshots.com As for Reno, he said he is not yet enjoying retirement because he misses going to work every day. 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. Asked how him being arrested for assault is different than the arrest of the former fire chief, Newton said, This is a misdemeanor. Major is a graduate of Fairfield High School and served as a U.S. Marine. Copyright 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. TARRANT The mayor of Tarrant was arrested on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. Reminds me of Adolf Hitler., Bryant has served as a councilman for 12 years, and said hes lived in Tarrant for most of his life. 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). 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. 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). Call (205) 849-2800 for more information. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. There was nothing about racism, nothing about me not hiring any blacks or anything. Major replaces former Chief Dennis Reno, who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton. 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. The charge comes after former Police Chief Dennis Reno claimed that Newton slammed a door on. And so this opportunity and burden has been placed on me and I fully expect to rise to the occasion and face the day.. Tarrant City Police Department, Alabama, Fallen Officers Newton has not yet named replacements for Reno or Rickels. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Reno retired on Jan. 1 after more than four decades of police work. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021, after 42 years in law enforcement. Find an Ordinance; Apply For a Job; Submit a Bid; Submit a Comment; . 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. Electric Department; Fire; Library; Municipal Court; Parks and Recreation; Police; Public Works; Business. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. along with contact information, are available now on the wvt13m app. This type of conduct will not be tolerated, and employees that choose to engage in such behavior will be dealt with swiftly and severely.. The chief accused Newton, an attorney, of slamming a door on Reno. Check the . Tarrant City Councilman arrested twice in one week All contents copyright 2021 Associated Press. You can watch Newtons full press conference and reaction from his supporters below. The problem is, the four individuals on the council, they know their time is up, Newton said. There has been discord in the city since Newton took office, and he says thats because some people are resistant to change. My thing is, I was elected to run the city. It is like he thinks hes God and he rules this city, she said. 201 N Tarrant St, Crowley, TX 76036 | MLS# 20207812 | Redfin 2023 Benbrook Business & Community Showcase (BBCS) View All . I know how things are supposed to be done, he said. Im in charge of employees, he told The Daily Beast. 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. Download original document: Document text This text is machine-read, and may contain errors. Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. Tarrant, AL 35217. 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. Former Tarrant Police Chief responds to Mayor's claims of 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.. 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. She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. He called the charges a political stunt to smear his name. Milwaukee Police Department. I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. Tarrant city councilman arrested for second time this week on new charges Wendell Major has been selected, and. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. Assistant Chief Perry Tarrant Sworn-In as NOBLE President Theyre putting out what they want,' he said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Newton surrendered to authorities. According to jail records, Newton turned himself into the Jefferson County Jail at 4:09 p.m. According to charging documents, Bryant said the incident happened July 19, 2021, at Tarrant City Hall following a council meeting. Wayman Antoninus Newton, 40, is charged with assault in the third degree. All rights reserved (About Us). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. 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. View All Theyve been trying to do everything that they could possibly do to discredit me, and as theyve seen, Im not going anywhere,' he said. Tarrant drove away at 1:55 pm. It is like he thinks hes God and he rules this city, she said. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Ft Worth Tarrant County Texas Warrants & Most Wanted He called himself the CEO of the city, and said Bryant and others have unfortunately been put off by the new structure hes installed. He explained his version of the events during a phone call with The Tribune. 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. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriffs Capt. Reno said his left elbow was injured in the incident. Because thats the only thing he can come up with.. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. Newton said hes moving forward with his plans to better the city. All Current Year LODDs Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. I actually question the legitimacy of those numbers like I question the legitimacy of the hiring practices of the previous police chief, he added. Chief Perry Tarrant 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. He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. 4 Beds. 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. In an ever-evolving city and police department, Deputy Chief Criado embraces new challenges and change. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 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. During his time as chief, Reno said he had a panel of three that recommend the hiring of officers, so he denies any claim that he had any discriminatory hiring practices. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). TX - Nov 13, 2022. 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. 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.. 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. 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. Hes lying like Hell! My thing is, I was elected to run the city. The two divisions within the Department, Administrative Services and Operational Services, provide numerous specialized public safety services to the citizens of Hurst. William A Tarrant POLICE OFFICER POLICE DEPARTMENT Police Learn more. The fire department is also short two firefighters and neither department has a chief at this time. McKeesport Police Department. 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.