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. Racial Profiling Policy. Newton held a press conference at Tarrant City Hall on Thursday to discuss the case. Since Reno left the force, he said around 12 officers have left the department. 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. Tom Green County District Attorney's Office. 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). And thats what Ive been doing, he said. I dont take sides between politicians.. Emergency visits to Tarrant City Jail are also allowed, subject to the on-duty Watch Commander's approval. 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. And hopefully and once it works its way through the proper channels, those videos will be released to the public,' Newton 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. Tarrant's arrest. 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. We would have friends and family that wouldnt come to Tarrant because they were known for it, Taylor said. 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 . For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. 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. The charge comes after former Police Chief Dennis Reno claimed that Newton slammed a door on. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Reno sayshe only worked for Newton for two hours. The mayor is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. After months of pushback from the majority of council members, Newton said he hopes the city can eventually move in a positive direction. Were not in the 50s anymore. Deanna Taylor is one of those people. I know how things are supposed to be done, he said. 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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. 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. 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. The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Aziz was awarded the New Zealand Cross, New Zealand's highest award for bravery. 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. 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. 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. 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. Newton said he also started an environmental task force and he is currently working on a project to refurbish and use vacant buildings and on a plan to bring a charter school to the city. He does not plan to resign as mayor even though he fired the former fire chief after he was arrested on an assault charge because he said his own charge is a misdemeanor, and the charge against the former fire chief involved felony charges and a firearm. Watch video of the incident below: Newton also said that since he took office, he has faced push back from city officials in multiple departments, stating that many are resistant to the changes Newton campaigned on. He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. Newton said the ongoing discord hasnt been easy and at times hes wanted to lash out. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). Its people like him that every time theyre wrong they start playing the race card, Reno added. We have lived in the past, he said. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. We appreciate the community's help in keeping everyone safe. Cold Cases, Missing and Unsolved Crimes. Wendell Major has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. 4 were here. That has done a tremendous amount of damage to the city, because no one has had their eye on the future.. Perry A. Tarrant Full Bio Cerelyn 'CJ' Davis Cerelyn 'CJ' Davis Im fairly certain that once people had an opportunity to look at these videos, theyre going to know the truth., Again, Im not above the law and so this is a criminal matter and its going to work its way through the courts,' he said. 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. 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. He explained his version of the events during a phone call with The Tribune. Money Services Business Registrations; Moter Carriers Because thats the only thing he can come up with.. The former chief said thats what started the verbal altercation. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. He said Reno told him he hadnt hired Black officers because they werent qualified, and couldnt be trusted to police their own. Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. 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. 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Newton said he went to speak to Police Chief Wendell . Newton said the discord has continued. When Tarrant returned to his car, Aziz threw the shotgun at it. Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. Milwaukee Police Department. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. Davis was one of about a dozen residents at City Hall Thursday to support the mayor. McKeesport Police Department. She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. 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. (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.). TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. 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, 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. Newton said he feels he represents all of the people that want to change the city. He was charged with third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor. by He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton told a news conference that former chief Dennis Reno had a discriminatory practice of refusing to hire African Americans as police officers and wouldnt change it. Pembroke Pines Police Department. 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. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. Reno denies the claim that he didnt want to hire black officers. 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. 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. Call (205) 849-2800 for more information. Theyre putting out what they want,' he said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. we post and write thousands of news stories a year, most wanted stories, editorials (under categories - blog) and stories of exonerations. According to charging documents, Bryant said the incident happened July 19, 2021, at Tarrant City Hall following a council meeting. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. As for Reno, he said he is not yet enjoying retirement because he misses going to work every day. . 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. Chief Wendell Major said this all stems from an argument between Councilman Bryant and Mayor Newton. 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. along with contact information, are available now on the wvt13m app. 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, Ala. (WBRC) - Tarrant's Police Chief is reacting to Councilman Tommy Bryant's arrest after he said he witnessed Bryant punching Mayor Wayman Newton. He called the charges a political stunt to smear his name. 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. All Current Year LODDs 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. Major has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, beginning his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 2593 Commerce Circle. The chief accused Newton, an attorney, of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. North Texas Interoperable Radio Network (NTIRN) Project 25 Phase II. Video of the November incident was released by the city attorney Thursday evening. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The blast struck Marshal Granger in the abdomen, killing him. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. Newton, elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, is charged with third-degree assault of former Chief Dennis Reno. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. 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. Brian Steel, Rickels attorney, told AL.com the charges were baseless. Reno retired on Jan. 1 after more than four decades of police work. Newton was elected Aug. 25. Clara Palmore and her husband were also there to support Newton. 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 denied harassing any city employees. He said Reno told him he hadnt hired Black officers because they werent qualified, and couldnt be trusted to police their own. And to quote him exactly is, I dont hire black officers because black officers dont like to police their own.. 2,044 Sq. Reno retired after the incident. 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. 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). I only worked for him for two hours. 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. Robin Davis, spokeswoman for. Wayman Antoninus Newton, 40, is charged with assault in the third degree. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. Ill take a voice stress analysist and a polygraph with the person of his (Newtons) choosing. Tarrant, AL 35217. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. Newton, a lawyer who was elected to office last year, was booked in the Jefferson County Jail for 20 minutes Wednesday. (Jefferson County Jail). A report from the Fort Worth Police Department shows violent crimes dropped by more than 13% in 2022. . He was released at 4:29 p.m. A call to the Tarrant City Hall and the Mayors Office went unanswered Wednesday afternoon. TCOLE Licensing. Wendell Major has been selected, and approved by the City Council, to take over as the departments top cop. 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. 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. But he told The Daily Beast that the police department employs 18 officers. 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. 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. TARRANT Former Tarrant Police Chief Dennis Reno responded Thursday to a press conference held by Mayor Wayman Newton earlier in the day. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated, said Newton. Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. So, the guy didnt know what he was talking about.. Fax: 817-249-4803. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. 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. He said he hopes to succeed in that endeavor. Although the numbers dont tell a damning tale, Newton said, Tarrant historically has had a problem.. I only worked for him for two hours. Benbrook City Council. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. But he said people like Bryant and Reno are, in effect, stuck in the past: Theyre longing for a time that was.. Deanna Taylor is one of those people. My thing is, I was elected to run the city. The police department is short two officers, Newton said. 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. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. Tarrant Police Department | Tarrant City AL 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. He said it all started during a conversation about hiring practices at the police department. 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. 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. I wasnt shocked because I knew I didnt do any of the stuff they accused me of doing, Newton said Wednesday. All rights reserved (About Us). Bryant was arrested back on . The Tarrant Police Department is located on Commerce Circle, and the Chief of Police is Dennis Reno. Newton turned himself into the Jefferson County Jail on Wednesday and was released a short time later after posting a $1,000 bond. The full press conference can be watched in the video player above. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. Share: Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on G+ Share with email. 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. A veteran lawman has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. He was released at 4:29 p.m. (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. I mean come, on. He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. 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. Major is a graduate of Fairfield High School and served as a U.S. Marine. Newton was also acquitted on a harassment charge obtained by city council member . Reno retired after the incident because he said he knew he wouldnt be able to work with the new mayor. 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.. 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. 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. 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. He aint going to cuss me. Give me a break! Check the . 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. 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. 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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.

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