He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. Newton said he went to speak to Police Chief Wendell . Reno retired after the incident. Contact the City; Licenses; I Want To. 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. Address 2593 Commerce Circle Birmingham , Alabama , 35217 Phone 205-849-2811 Fax 205-849-2807 Tarrant Police Department / Tarrant City Jail Details Type Local Police Department Full Time Sworn Officers 25 Full Time Civilians 6 Map of Tarrant Police Department / Tarrant City Jail in Birmingham, Alabama Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. He accused Newton of failing to fill important vacant positions in the city, like the city clerk and the chief of police. FL - Feb 09, 2023. 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. 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. I only worked for him for two hours. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. And thats what Ive been doing, he said. 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. For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. Wendell Major has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. 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. Westlake. He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. I take that job and responsibility very seriously. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. 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. Is it me or is it him?. The police department is short two officers, Newton said. Jones, who currently serves as the chief of Baltimore County Police Department's Community Relations Bureau, was selected through a robust . Newton said the person was not related to him but was related to a council member. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). Brian Steel, Rickels attorney, told AL.com the charges were baseless. Major could be sworn in as early as Sept. 2. Former Tarrant Police Chief responds to Mayors claims of discriminatory hiring practices, 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), Obituary: Donald Leo Taylor (Sept. 13, 1938 Feb. 23, 2023) and Pamela Taylor (Nov. 5, 1943 Feb. 23, 2023), Trussville Police respond to 2 fights at Hewitt-Trussville High School today, Jasper man dies after single-vehicle collision in Hoover, Alabama State Chapter Receives NWTF Acreage Award, Savvy Senior: How to protect seniors from scam calls, Whats really happening in the new Tarrant, WATCH: Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton addresses his assault charge, Birmingham TV stations chip in, allowing ABC 33/40 employees to attend anchors funeral, Birmingham-Southern College: A solid investment for Alabama, 65-year-old pedestrian dies after dog attack in McDonalds Chapel Community. Im a man. Davis was one of about a dozen residents at City Hall Thursday to support the mayor. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. Reno on Friday said Newton released only part of the video. I dont mind changes, if theyre done like theyre supposed to be done. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Major replaces former Chief Dennis Reno, who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton. Neither Rickels nor Steel responded to a request for comment for this story. But he said it has been plagued by a lack of investment, empty storefronts, and what he calls a lack of foresight. The visits at Tarrant City Jail take place on Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. Nearby homes similar to 201 N Tarrant St have recently sold between $367K to $367K at an average of $180 per square foot. 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. 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. 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. We would have friends and family that wouldnt come to Tarrant because they were known for it, Taylor said. I dont take sides between politicians.. 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 didnt cuss him back. For further clarity of these information, therefore, visit the website or call 817-276-4700 for more. View more recently sold homes. 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. 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. 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 said the discord has continued. I never had a single complaint against me the entire time I was at Tarrant, about being a racist, Reno continued. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has released video of an incident that led to the former police chief filing a misdemeanor assault charge against the mayor. Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. 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. 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. 2023 Benbrook Business & Community Showcase (BBCS) View All . Regular Council Meetings are held Every 1st and 3rd Monday's of each month @ 7PM. Newton said the ongoing discord hasnt been easy and at times hes wanted to lash out. 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. As Marshal Granger approached the man's home, the man opened fire with a 16 gauge shotgun. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. Clara Palmore and her husband were also there to support Newton. 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. 200 Taylor Street - 7th Floor Fort Worth, TX 76196 817-884-3354 The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Registration Unit is responsible for the investigation and enforcement of the Sex Offender Registration Program required in Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. He said he cant comment on the case because of ongoing litigation. 205-849-2811. The Tarrant Police Department is located on Commerce Circle, and the Chief of Police is Dennis Reno. The blast struck Marshal Granger in the abdomen, killing him. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. (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.). 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. Certainly, were glad to have him join us, Newton said. But also partly due to a concerted effort between Dennis Reno, and city council members, and former city employees trying to get them to actually leave the city to hurt the city and to ultimately hurt my administration, Newton said. 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.. Staff Login X She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. PA - Feb 06, 2023. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. All rights reserved (About Us). Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the city's former police chief swore out a warrant on him. He returned to Birmingham to practice law, specializing in real estate. we post and write thousands of news stories a year, most wanted stories, editorials (under categories - blog) and stories of exonerations. Posted on Monday, November 23, 2020. The mayor is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. Police | Tarrant, AL Police Call 911 in case of emergency. 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. Reno sayshe only worked for Newton for two hours. 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. Call (205) 849-2800 for more information. Chief Dennis Reno My council has put together a smear campaign saying that Ive been stealing money from the city so in the coming weeks were going to conduct an audit and when those results come back, Ill be able to clear my name on that as well.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Deanna Taylor is one of those people. Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Major has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, beginning his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections. 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. Milwaukee Police Department. 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). Newton, the citys first Black Mayor, praised Majors exemplary record of service. 4 were here. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 4 Beds. 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. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. View All 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. A Facebook page called Whats really happening in the new Tarrant is another issue Newton addressed during the press conference. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020, when the two got into a verbal dispute. Newton, an attorney, is accused of slamming a door on Reno, causing an injury to Renos shoulder that may require surgery. I actually question the legitimacy of those numbers like I question the legitimacy of the hiring practices of the previous police chief, he added.