He said untrue things about him have been posted on the page, including that he tried to bribe officers to not arrest his cousin after a chase and crash. He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. TARRANT, Ala. (WBRC) - Tarrant's Police Chief is reacting to Councilman Tommy Bryant's arrest after he said he witnessed Bryant punching Mayor Wayman Newton. Reno retired after the incident. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Theyve been trying to do everything that they could possibly do to discredit me, and as theyve seen, Im not going anywhere,' he said. Im a man. Milwaukee Police Department. But he told The Daily Beast that the police department employs 18 officers. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. BREAKING: Tarrant Mayor arrested on assault charge Westlake. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. I actually question the legitimacy of those numbers like I question the legitimacy of the hiring practices of the previous police chief, he added. He has been on workmans comp since the injury. Deanna Taylor is one of those people. Theyre putting out what they want,' he said. The chief accused Newton, an attorney, of slamming a door on Reno. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday, a month after Rickels was arrested in Georgia on assault, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. 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. Is there a reason you got rid of every white department head in the city? 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. Mayor of Tarrant Says Former Police Chief Refused to Hire Black Police Department | City of Hurst, TX Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the citys former police chief swore out a warrant on him. Jones, who currently serves as the chief of Baltimore County Police Department's Community Relations Bureau, was selected through a robust . I hope it dont offend you. The city of Tarrant considers these actions absolutely irresponsible and reckless, Newton said in a statement announcing Rickelss termination. Reno on Friday said Newton released only part of the video. Ft Worth Tarrant County Texas Warrants & Most Wanted 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). Business . 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 Newton's. He said he went to the jail in Bessemer because he heard that the media was awaiting his arrival at the Birmingham Jail. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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.. We have lived in the past, he said. 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. During the press conference Thursday, Newton explained his versions of the incident that happened on Nov. 3, 2020. Wendell Major has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton said he plans to be exonerated of a misdemeanor assault charge lodged against him by the citys former police chief. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Tarrant City Police Department - Tarrant, Alabama. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. 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. City of Memphis releases list of finalists for new police director 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.. Im more than qualified to be the mayor of Tarrant. And so this opportunity and burden has been placed on me and I fully expect to rise to the occasion and face the day.. What happened is that he wanted me to bring him, on a Tuesday, he wanted by Friday, every personnel file from the police department. Type: Police Departments Population Served: 8148 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton charged with assault of city's - al Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. 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. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021, after 42 years in law enforcement. McKeesport Police Department. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) The city of Tarrant has announced it has terminated its fire chief after he was arrested last month in Georgia. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. 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 drove away at 1:55 pm. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. A silver 2005 Subaru Outback matching the description of Tarrant's vehicle was seen by a police unit, and a pursuit was initiated at 1:57 pm. The mayor said he will address the warrant at a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday. He said he cant comment on the case because of ongoing litigation. WI - Feb 07, 2023. Tarrant Police Department | Tarrant City AL - Facebook Police Department Amy Marion Chief of Police (870) 845-3434 Pay Fines Police Department The Nashville Police Department is comprised of professional police officers who are eager to protect and serve our community. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. by Major replaces former Chief Dennis Reno, who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton. A day after his arrest, Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. Because thats the only thing he can come up with.. Newton said the ongoing discord hasnt been easy and at times hes wanted to lash out. Police Department | Euless, TX 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. Major earned his criminal justice degree from UAB, and his law degree from Birmingham School of Law. The charge comes after former Police Chief Dennis Reno claimed that Newton slammed a door on him shortly after he was put into office. TARRANT The mayor of Tarrant was arrested on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. It is like he thinks hes God and he rules this city, she said. Tarrant Mayor-elect Wayman Newton was sworn in on Nov. 2, 2020 as the city's first Black mayor. dustin blake wood in texas tarrant county 11/12/1985 at 12:00. notice: mugshots.com is a news organization. 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. Police Department | Mansfield, TX 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton. Newton, a lawyer who was elected to office last year, was booked in the Jefferson County Jail for 20 minutes Wednesday. Reno denies the claim that he didnt want to hire black officers. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault, and the mayor surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and was released on bond. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the city's former police chief swore out a warrant on him. 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. Aziz was awarded the New Zealand Cross, New Zealand's highest award for bravery. I jumped up and I said, Dont you ever curse me again, Reno recalled. 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. He said they are two police officers and two firefighters short but said it is not hindering services to the city. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 205-849-2811. 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. For further clarity of these information, therefore, visit the website or call 817-276-4700 for more. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. During his time as mayor, the city has started a low-cost vet clinic, offered food giveaways, and started a new program to help people purchase homes in Tarrant with specialty loans through Regions Bank. 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. PA - Feb 06, 2023. 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. Newton was elected Aug. 25. Job Opportunities Currently hiring APOST Certified Officers at jobsquest.org Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow Police Contact Information Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Citations. 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. Tarrant city attorney releases video of incident involving mayor and I was trying to piss him off to see if hed come after me, Bryant said. There were no black officers, said Newton. 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. Contact the City; Licenses; I Want To. He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. That incident ultimately led to a misdemeanor assault charge filed by Reno against Newton. When Tarrant returned to his car, Aziz threw the shotgun at it. Newton said he expects the charge against him to be dropped after video of the incident is handed over to the District Attorneys Office. Newton has not yet named replacements for Reno or Rickels. Bryant was arrested back on . Wayman Antoninus Newton, 40, is charged with assault in the third degree. 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. 2023 Benbrook Business & Community Showcase (BBCS) View All . 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. Tarrant City Police Department, Alabama, Fallen Officers Welcome to the Fort Worth Police Department 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. Newton graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts, then earned a political science degree at the University of Pennsylvania and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Video of the November incident was released by the city attorney Thursday evening. Newton, elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, is charged with third-degree assault of former Chief Dennis Reno. Newton surrendered to authorities. Newton, an attorney, is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. I dont take sides between politicians.. 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. The charge comes after former Police Chief Dennis Reno claimed that Newton slammed a door on. I dont take sides between politicians.. Police | Benbrook, TX - Official Website In an interview, the mayor denied ever slamming the door on Renos arm. . 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. 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. 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. Find an Ordinance; Apply For a Job; Submit a Bid; Submit a Comment; . Newton said the discord has continued. I only worked for him for two hours. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 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. 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. 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. Is it me or is it him?. 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. Tarrant FD fires chief who was arrested in Georgia after - CBS 42 He never gave me a chance.. Do you really think that I would say something like that at a public meeting?. Christchurch mosque shootings - Wikipedia 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. Perry Tarrant has 34 years of law enforcement experience with the Tucson Police Department. Tarrant city councilman arrested for second time this week on new charges Brian Steel, Rickels attorney, told AL.com the charges were baseless. The mayors bench trial which means evidence and testimony were presented only to the judge, not a jury - was held earlier this month before Jefferson County District Judge Katrina Ross. Police Dept. City Council | Tarrant, AL And thats what Ive been doing, he said. This type of conduct will not be tolerated, and employees that choose to engage in such behavior will be dealt with swiftly and severely.. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. 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. I never had a single complaint against me the entire time I was at Tarrant, about being a racist, Reno continued. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media Perry Tarrant | National Association of City Transportation Officials 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. As Marshal Granger approached the man's home, the man opened fire with a 16 gauge shotgun. elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, assault and other charges after he allegedly pulled a gun on an Atlanta realtor, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Learn more. He has support,' she said. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing. 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.