And hopefully and once it works its way through the proper channels, those videos will be released to the public,' Newton said. Pembroke Pines Police Department. 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.. I mean come, on. 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. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated.. Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major confirms Bryant was arrested Thursday morning on a theft of services charge. Im very, very excited.. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. 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. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. Bryant was arrested back on . 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. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020, when the two got into a verbal dispute. Phone: (817) 685-1500 The Euless Police Department provides law enforcement service for the community. Texas police officer decertifications Locations: United States of America -> Texas Topics: Police Misconduct. I dont mind changes, if theyre done like theyre supposed to be done. Emergency visits to Tarrant City Jail are also allowed, subject to the on-duty Watch Commander's approval. The conversation evolved into a shouting match, Newton said. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. All contents copyright 2021 Associated Press. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Bryant said he isnt opposed to changes in the city, but believes Newton is going about things in an aggressive way. 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. 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. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. 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. He explained his version of the events during a phone call with The Tribune. Because thats the only thing he can come up with.. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Benbrook City Council. "All of us at SPD are extremely proud of Chief Perry Tarrant. 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. 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. Since becoming mayor, Newton has vowed to clean up the city but he said he has faced pushback from the council, former community members as well as former city employees. 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.. Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged obtained by Bryant. 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. 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). Reno said his left elbow was injured in the incident. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. When asked how many black officers were on the force when the new mayor took office, Mayor Newton said there werent any. Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. Were not in the 50s anymore. 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 has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, beginning his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections. 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. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. There has been discord in the city since Newton took office, and he says thats because some people are resistant to change. 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. 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. We would have friends and family that wouldnt come to Tarrant because they were known for it, Taylor said. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. 1080 Mercedes Street. 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. View All He said the accusations about the supposed threats on Bryants life were not worth responding to. Newton was elected Aug. 25. They went through a process with these three people and then they would come to me and recommend who they wanted me to hire. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. 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. This is not true, and I fully expect to be exonerated, said Newton. 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. 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. According to charging documents, Bryant said the incident happened July 19, 2021, at Tarrant City Hall following a council meeting. Chief Rickels had a felony charge and that also involved a gun,' he said. 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). 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 The mayor of Tarrant was arrested on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. 1133 East Lake Blvd | Tarrant, AL 35217 | 205-849-2800. a municode design.