Business . Newton has not yet named replacements for Reno or Rickels. Reno said he goes to physical therapy twice a week because of the injury and may have to undergo surgery. 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. 1133 East Lake Blvd Tarrant, AL 35217 (205) 849-2800 . We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. TX - Nov 13, 2022. 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. 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. 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? 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 said he hopes to succeed in that endeavor. 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. 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. Newton, an attorney, is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. The mayor is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (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.). 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. 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. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing. Two different standards for two different people, he said. Chief Dennis Reno The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. 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. 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. Walter Franklin Granger Marshal Walter Granger was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had assaulted a boy earlier in the day. Major could be sworn in as early as Sept. 2. According to jail records, Newton turned himself into the Jefferson County Jail at 4:09 p.m. I didnt cuss him back. 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. Share: Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on G+ Share with email. Type: Police Departments Population Served: 8148 We appreciate the community's help in keeping everyone safe. Newton said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. He called the charges a political stunt to smear his name. Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault, and the mayor surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and was released on bond. They went through a process with these three people and then they would come to me and recommend who they wanted me to hire. Benbrook Police Department. Newton denied harassing any city employees. You can watch Newtons full press conference and reaction from his supporters below. Milwaukee Police Department. 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. 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. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. 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. Check the . 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. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media He aint going to cuss me. Reno retired after the incident because he said he knew he wouldnt be able to work with the new mayor. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. 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. Newton was arrested on June 16 and charged with third-degree assault, according to records from the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, which declined to elaborate on the charges prior to publication. 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. 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. Reno did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this story. During the press conference Thursday, Newton explained his versions of the incident that happened on Nov. 3, 2020. Fax: 817-249-4803. Newton said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. Newton was sworn in as the citys mayor in November 2020. All Current Year LODDs Robin Davis, spokeswoman for. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Newton said hes moving forward with his plans to better the city. 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.. I dont take sides between politicians.. (Jefferson County Jail). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Copyright All rights reserved. There has been discord in the city since Newton took office, and he says thats because some people are resistant to change. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. 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. Racial Profiling Policy. 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). Newton denied any wrongdoing and released a video that he says proves he didnt assault the ex-chief. 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. 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. Ill take a voice stress analysist and a polygraph with the person of his (Newtons) choosing. The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged obtained by Bryant. Bryant said he isnt opposed to changes in the city, but believes Newton is going about things in an aggressive way. . Tarrant County /QuickLinks.aspx. 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. 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. He never gave me a chance.. So, the guy didnt know what he was talking about.. 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. 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. He said he went to the jail in Bessemer because he heard that the media was awaiting his arrival at the Birmingham Jail. He said he cant comment on the case because of ongoing litigation. 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. Im in charge of employees, he told The Daily Beast. 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). 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 the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. City Ordinances. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. Tom Green County District Attorney's Office. 4 Beds. ", Newton said he believes its a small number of former employees and former residents stirring up the controversy. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Were not in the 50s anymore. For further clarity of these information, therefore, visit the website or call 817-276-4700 for more. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Learn more. I wasnt shocked because I knew I didnt do any of the stuff they accused me of doing, Newton said Wednesday. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. 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. 2023 Benbrook Business & Community Showcase (BBCS) View All . Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton. 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. 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. 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. Newton said that is partly due to better-paying opportunities and partly due to continued angst brought on by the former police chief. 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. Police Dept. As for his shoulder, he said he might have to have surgery but that doctors are doing all they can to prevent that from happening. 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Newton, elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, is charged with third-degree assault of former Chief Dennis Reno. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Tarrant's arrest. Brian Steel, Rickels attorney, told AL.com the charges were baseless. What happened is that he wanted me to bring him, on a Tuesday, he wanted by Friday, every personnel file from the police department. My thing is, I was elected to run the city. PA - Feb 06, 2023. 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. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. He returned to Birmingham to practice law, specializing in real estate. 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.