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. Ft Worth Tarrant County Texas Warrants & Most Wanted For further clarity of these information, therefore, visit the website or call 817-276-4700 for more. Newton was sworn in as the citys mayor in November 2020. The Ugly War Between a White Police Chief and a Black Mayor in the Deep 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. Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. TARRANT Former Tarrant Police Chief Dennis Reno responded Thursday to a press conference held by Mayor Wayman Newton earlier in the day. The charge carries a bond of $1,000. All rights reserved (About Us). Reno retired on Jan. 1 after more than four decades of police work. Phone: 817-249-1610. Tarrant Police Department 2593 Commerce Cir Tarrant, AL 35217 205-849-2811 The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is the police department that serves the area, where Mike Hale is the sheriff. But Reno said he has his own video of the incident and it shows the door being slammed on his elbow. 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. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He returned to Birmingham to practice law, specializing in real estate. Fax: 817-249-4803. 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. At this point Im happy. McKeesport Police Department. OPEN GOV US GOV US. He accused Newton of failing to fill important vacant positions in the city, like the city clerk and the chief of police. 1133 East Lake Blvd | Tarrant, AL 35217 | 205-849-2800. a municode design. Newton, elected in 2020 as the city's first Black mayor,. He has support,' she said. Tarrant, Alabama, has been gripped by a saga that some say reflects the rise of a ruthless politician and others see as the last gasp of a white power structure that wont let go. 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.. She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. Reno retired after the incident. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. Alabama Tarrant City Councilman Tommy Bryant Charged for Attacking My thing is, I was elected to run the city. The alleged assault occurred in November after he was elected mayor. Major earned his criminal justice degree from UAB, and his law degree from Birmingham School of Law. Im in charge of employees, he told The Daily Beast. Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Asked how him being arrested for assault is different than the arrest of the former fire chief, Newton said, This is a misdemeanor. 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. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. Texas police officer decertifications Locations: United States of America -> Texas Topics: Police Misconduct. The fire department is also short two firefighters and neither department has a chief at this time. Video of the November incident was released by the city attorney Thursday evening. Bryant said he isnt opposed to changes in the city, but believes Newton is going about things in an aggressive way. 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.. 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. Marshal Walter Franklin Granger, Tarrant City Police Department, Alabama I know how things are supposed to be done, he said. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. 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. PA - Feb 06, 2023. So, the guy didnt know what he was talking about.. Tarrant's Police Chief reacts to Councilman Tommy Bryant's arrest 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. 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. Ever since Newton, 40, took office after winning his election in Tarrant, Alabamapopulation 7,000by nearly 40 percentage points last year, a small minority of mostly white residents and city leaders have had it out for him, he told The Daily Beast. He cited a Facebook page called Whats Really Happening in the New Tarrant, as a source for much of the trouble. Reno said he goes to physical therapy twice a week because of the injury and may have to undergo surgery. The city of Tarrant considers these actions absolutely irresponsible and reckless, Newton said in a statement announcing Rickelss termination. 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). The chief accused Newton, an attorney, of slamming a door on Reno. Emergency visits to Tarrant City Jail are also allowed, subject to the on-duty Watch Commander's approval. He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. 4 were here. Perry Tarrant has 34 years of law enforcement experience with the Tucson Police Department. Jones, who currently serves as the chief of Baltimore County Police Department's Community Relations Bureau, was selected through a robust . Perry Tarrant | National Association of City Transportation Officials Wendell Major has been selected, and approved by the City Council, to take over as the departments top cop. 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. I do not represent the Mayor, Councilor Bryant or any other employee in its individual capacity, he said. He was charged with third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor. Im glad that we can finally put that behind me.. 205-849-2811. Major could be sworn in as early as Sept. 2. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. Tarrant Police Department | Tarrant City AL 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. 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. (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. Ill take a voice stress analysist and a polygraph with the person of his (Newtons) choosing. Newton is considered innocent until proven guilty and he has called the charge bogus. The Tribune is awaiting a call back from his attorney. 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. We have lived in the past, he said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 1080 Mercedes Street. 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. The judge on Friday issued her orders declaring Newton not guilty in both cases. Major replaces former Chief Dennis Reno, who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton. Newton said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. He called himself the CEO of the city, and said Bryant and others have unfortunately been put off by the new structure hes installed. 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. 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.. 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. Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. Business . 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. The problem is, the four individuals on the council, they know their time is up, Newton said. ", Newton said he believes its a small number of former employees and former residents stirring up the controversy. Tarrant County plans to cut funding for affordable housing project in Newton said hes moving forward with his plans to better the city. Contact the City; Licenses; I Want To. A day after his arrest, Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. 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. In fact, I take those obstacles and I take their attempts to discredit me as motivation to keep going forward.. Newton, an attorney, is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. And thats what Ive been doing, he said. 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. . Tarrant city councilman arrested for second time this week on new charges 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. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. 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. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. 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 aint going to cuss me. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Police Director Search - City of Memphis Al Jones Appointed as New Arlington Police Chief - City of Arlington The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 2593 Commerce Circle. Major has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, beginning his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Job Opportunities Currently hiring APOST Certified Officers at jobsquest.org Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow Police Contact Information Bryant wondered why Newton wasnt putting himself on leave given the fact that he fired Rickels for his charge. Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. But he said people like Bryant and Reno are, in effect, stuck in the past: Theyre longing for a time that was.. I dont take sides between politicians.. The Tarrant mayor said that at that time the city did not have a single black police officer. The Hurst Police Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency, providing 24-hour response to the needs of the community. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. As Marshal Granger approached the man's home, the man opened fire with a 16 gauge shotgun. 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. 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. I only worked for him for two hours. (Jefferson County Jail). He said he went to the jail in Bessemer because he heard that the media was awaiting his arrival at the Birmingham Jail. Newton said the discord has continued. The chief accused Newton, an attorney, of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder. Police Dept. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriffs Capt. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. The visits at Tarrant City Jail take place on Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. 2023 Benbrook Business & Community Showcase (BBCS) View All . The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. Download original document: Document text This text is machine-read, and may contain errors. 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. 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. Police Department | City of Hurst, TX Because thats the only thing he can come up with.. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the city's former police chief swore out a warrant on him. Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault, and the mayor surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and was released on bond. The incident was caught on camera. Ever since Newton, 40, took office after winning his election in Tarrant, Alabamapopulation 7,000by nearly 40 percentage points last year, a small minority of mostly white residents and city leaders have had it out for him, he told The Daily Beast. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. Im more than qualified to be the mayor of Tarrant. 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. North Texas Interoperable Radio Network (NTIRN) Project 25 Phase II. 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. City Council | Tarrant, AL Im more than qualified to be the mayor of Tarrant. For the second time in one week, city councilman Tommie Bryant was arrested.According to Tarrant's police chief, the latest arrest happened Thursday morning."He turned himself in at the county jail today on an outstanding warrant for theft of services," chief Wendell Major explained. Tarrant drove away at 1:55 pm. Westlake. 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. 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. Newton said that is partly due to better-paying opportunities and partly due to continued angst brought on by the former police chief. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 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. 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. I hope it dont offend you. The mayor has not named replacements for Rickels or Reno. we post and write thousands of news stories a year, most wanted stories, editorials (under categories - blog) and stories of exonerations. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged obtained by Bryant. 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. 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. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. Wayman Antoninus Newton, 40, is charged with assault in the third degree. 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. 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. Tarrant councilman Tommy Bryant jailed after Mayor Wayman Newton says Wendell Major has been selected, and. BREAKING: Tarrant Mayor arrested on assault charge, Finalists for Trussville BOE seat announced, Pinson council presents $60,000 check to schools, Springville softball blow out Pelham, continue dominant season, Obituary: Myra Carroll (August 22, 1937 February 23, 2023), Obituary: Sherry Webster Zorn (August 21, 1948 February 22, 2023), Obituary: Joy Silvey (August 2, 1932 February 26, 2023), Obituary: Grace Mixon (March 6, 1935 February 25, 2023), TCS hires new Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Former local TV anchors appear in PSA for COVID vaccinations, Trussville Police respond to 2 fights at Hewitt-Trussville High School today. Cold Cases, Missing and Unsolved Crimes. Newton denied any wrongdoing and released a video that he says proves he didnt assault the ex-chief. 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. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. Police | Benbrook, TX - Official Website 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. 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. But he told The Daily Beast that the police department employs 18 officers. Ft. 9960 Mescalbean, Fort Worth, TX 76036. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated., Asked for a response to the mayors statement, Reno last year said, I only worked for him for two hours. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Welcome to the Fort Worth Police Department For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. Reno claimed he was injured when Newton slammed a door on him. We didnt see anything happen.'. I didnt cuss him back. 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. Check the . Copyright All rights reserved. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has been found not guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault on the former police chief. Newton was elected Aug. 25. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. Site Map. As for Reno, he said he is not yet enjoying retirement because he misses going to work every day. Sex Offender Registration - Tarrant County TX Newton said he feels he represents all of the people that want to change the city. Brian Steel, Rickels attorney, told AL.com the charges were baseless. Newton was arrested on Wednesday on a charge of third-degree assault. Now all of a sudden hes in office and I work for him for two hours and Im a racist? Newton surrendered to authorities. Veteran lawman named first Black police chief in Tarrant He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. 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. 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. Reno said he and Newton had only one conversation about the racial makeup of the police force and he told the mayor: I dont hire off race, I hire off qualifications.. The former chief said thats what started the verbal altercation. I dont mind changes, if theyre done like theyre supposed to be done. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. Tarrant City Councilman arrested twice in one week Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. 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. The charge comes after former Police Chief Dennis Reno claimed that Newton slammed a door on. 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? Were not in the 50s anymore. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. Fire | Tarrant, AL Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing. 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.. Tarrant City Police Department - Tarrant, Alabama