Reno sayshe only worked for Newton for two hours. The conversation evolved into a shouting match, Newton said. 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. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. Bryant said he isnt opposed to changes in the city, but believes Newton is going about things in an aggressive way. A day after his arrest, Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. Im more than qualified to be the mayor of Tarrant. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. 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). Davis was one of about a dozen residents at City Hall Thursday to support the mayor. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. He has support,' she said. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Type: Police Departments Population Served: 8148 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. We didnt see anything happen.'. Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. Tarrant resident Waynette Bonham said things seemed to be changing for the better under Newton. People have been trying to throw obstacles in my way. 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. 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. Newton said Reno told him that he didnt hire Black officers because Black officers dont like to police their own.. Newton said he expects the charge against him to be dropped after video of the incident is handed over to the District Attorneys Office. 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 elected Aug. 25. Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. Asked how him being arrested for assault is different than the arrest of the former fire chief, Newton said, This is a misdemeanor. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. 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. Major is a graduate of Fairfield High School and served as a U.S. Marine. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. 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. 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 said hes moving forward with his plans to better the city. Newton has not yet named replacements for Reno or Rickels. Since becoming mayor, Newton has vowed to "clean up the city" but he said he has faced pushback from the. 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. He was charged with third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. dustin blake wood in texas tarrant county 11/12/1985 at 12:00. notice: mugshots.com is a news organization. Tarrant County /QuickLinks.aspx. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. 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. Business . He said he went to the jail in Bessemer because he heard that the media was awaiting his arrival at the Birmingham Jail. Call (205) 849-2800 for more information. Email Us. Although the numbers dont tell a damning tale, Newton said, Tarrant historically has had a problem.. It is like he thinks hes God and he rules this city, she said. Reno did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this story. 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. A veteran lawman has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. 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. Deputy Chief Mike Woods, 55, a 32-year veteran of the division, will serve as interim chief while the city begins a national search for a permanent chief. 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. 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 alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. The visits at Tarrant City Jail take place on Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. A report from the Fort Worth Police Department shows violent crimes dropped by more than 13% in 2022. . Since Reno left the force, he said around 12 officers have left the department. We are committed to making our community a safe place to live, work, and visit. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. Deputy Chief David Carabajal And Mayor Newton is trying to correct the things that had been so bad about the city of Tarrant from the previous administrationlike not having Black officers.. 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). The city of Tarrant considers these actions absolutely irresponsible and reckless, Newton said in a statement announcing Rickelss termination. Benbrook City Council. Brian Steel, Rickels attorney, told AL.com the charges were baseless. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. 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. 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. "All of us at SPD are extremely proud of Chief Perry Tarrant. Pembroke Pines Police Department. Im more than qualified to be the mayor of Tarrant. 2,044 Sq. My thing is, I was elected to run the city. Newton was also acquitted on a harassment charge obtained by city council member . But he told The Daily Beast that the police department employs 18 officers. Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. 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. 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. 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