Theyre putting out what they want,' he said. 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. Westlake Fire operates on this system using Site 3 (Northeast Tarrant), Westlake contracts with the City of Keller for police and animal control services. 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. Wendell Major has been selected, and approved by the City Council, to take over as the departments top cop. It all came to a head this past week when the former police chief Dennis Reno filed assault charges against Mayor Wayman Newton from an argument that happened on November 3, 2020. Tarrant County /QuickLinks.aspx. In fact, I take those obstacles and I take their attempts to discredit me as motivation to keep going forward.. As Marshal Granger approached the man's home, the man opened fire with a 16 gauge shotgun. What happened is that he wanted me to bring him, on a Tuesday, he wanted by Friday, every personnel file from the police department. 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. I have never said a racist statement to that guy, never made one, and he plays the race card. He was charged with third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor. 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. Asked why he went all the way to the Bessemer Cutoff to surrender, Newton said, It was evident that this is a political stunt, and it was made known to me that the media was at the Birmingham location.. Crime news across America. Newman was arrested again on Aug. 18, 2021, on the harassment charged, 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. 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). Wendell Major has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. I didnt cuss him back. Alabama News Network Staff. Reno believes Newton is making the issue about something that its not. Mayor Loxcil Tuck, 87, elected the citys first woman mayor in 2004, retired from politics. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. The charge carries a bond of $1,000. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday, a month after Rickels was arrested in Georgia on assault, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. 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. Deputy Chief David Carabajal 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. Major replaces former Chief Dennis Reno, who left the position in November 2020 after a run-in with Newton. 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. Type: Police Departments Population Served: 8148 Reno claimed he was injured when Newton slammed a door on him. 4 were here. In an interview, the mayor denied ever slamming the door on Renos arm. 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. Racial Profiling Policy. Texas police officer decertifications Locations: United States of America -> Texas Topics: Police Misconduct. Business . Find an Ordinance; Apply For a Job; Submit a Bid; Submit a Comment; . He cited a Facebook page called Whats Really Happening in the New Tarrant, as a source for much of the trouble. He was released at 4:29 p.m. A call to the Tarrant City Hall and the Mayors Office went unanswered Wednesday afternoon. Staff Login X 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. I know how things are supposed to be done, he said. Newton, elected in 2020 as the citys first Black mayor, is charged with third-degree assault of former Chief Dennis Reno. Those figures are only slightly higher than the 53 percent of the population Black folks make up, according to recent census records. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. He said he went to the jail in Bessemer because he heard that the media was awaiting his arrival at the Birmingham Jail. 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. Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault, and the mayor surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and was released on bond. I wasnt even in the hiring process. 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. He said it all started during a conversation about hiring practices at the police department. The judge on Friday issued her orders declaring Newton not guilty in both cases. Major is a graduate of Fairfield High School and served as a U.S. Marine. View more recently sold homes. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. Oh yes, there's trouble, right here in Tarrant City, with a capital "T" that rhymes with "C" that stands for (racist) Conspiracy. Perry Tarrant has 34 years of law enforcement experience with the Tucson Police Department. He is also past national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. We have people kicking against change and we need change,' she said. Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. He said too many longtime residents of the city long for a version back in the 60s and 70s, when it was a different place. Sources say former Police Chief Dennis Reno pressed charges against the new mayor in connection to an incident between the two that happened after Newton was sworn into office. Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing. 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. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the citys former police chief swore out a warrant on him. Newton said the ongoing discord hasnt been easy and at times hes wanted to lash out. 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 Electric Department; Fire; Library; Municipal Court; Parks and Recreation; Police; Public Works; Business. He is a dictatorial person, Bryant, 76, told The Daily Beast of Newton. 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. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief. He has been on workmans comp since the injury. Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. Major earned his criminal justice degree from UAB, and his law degree from Birmingham School of Law. Theyve been trying to do everything that they could possibly do to discredit me, and as theyve seen, Im not going anywhere,' he said. Reno left the chiefs job shortly after and officially retired Jan. 1, 2021 after 42 years in law enforcement. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after the city's former police chief swore out a warrant on him. Money Services Business Registrations; Moter Carriers I wasnt shocked because I knew I didnt do any of the stuff they accused me of doing, Newton said Wednesday. Reno did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this story. 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. 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. 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. Download original document: Document text This text is machine-read, and may contain errors. He called himself the CEO of the city, and said Bryant and others have unfortunately been put off by the new structure hes installed. 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 returned to Birmingham to practice law, specializing in real estate. Newton, the citys first Black Mayor, praised Majors exemplary record of service. 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. People have been trying to throw obstacles in my way. 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. 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. Newton, a lawyer who was elected to office last year, was booked in the Jefferson County Jail for 20 minutes Wednesday. . In an ever-evolving city and police department, Deputy Chief Criado embraces new challenges and change. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. All Current Year LODDs 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? Newton said that is partly due to better-paying opportunities and partly due to continued angst brought on by the former police chief. But he told The Daily Beast that the police department employs 18 officers. He said too many longtime residents of the city long for a version back in the 60s and 70s, when it was a different place. Newton denied harassing any city employees. Tarrant resident Waynette Bonham said things seemed to be changing for the better under Newton. All rights reserved (About Us). When reached for comment, Newton said there had been a warrant taken out on him and that he had gotten it taken care of. 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. Newton has not yet named replacements for Reno or Rickels. Newton, he said, has been a boon to the city because he recognizes its potential. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. Newton said hes moving forward with his plans to better the city. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. 2023 Benbrook Business & Community Showcase (BBCS) View All . All contents copyright 2021 Associated Press. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.. For example, he said, the firing of Rickels is something that he didnt need approval for. I only worked for him for two hours. Were going to continue to rebuild the city. 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.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. 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 didnt see anything happen.'. Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. Fort Worth Assistant Police Chief Robert Alldredge told city council members there were . Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. They went through a process with these three people and then they would come to me and recommend who they wanted me to hire. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) The city of Tarrant has announced it has terminated its fire chief after he was arrested last month in Georgia. The alleged assault happened on Election Day Nov. 3, 2020 when the two got into a verbal dispute. The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. 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. Two different standards for two different people, he said. Bryant was arrested back on . I never even got involved in the interviews, said Reno. 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. In an interview with The Daily Beast, Bryant pushed back against any problems with race that the city and police department may have faced in the past. 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. The charge comes after former Police Chief Dennis Reno claimed that Newton slammed a door on him shortly after he was put into office. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton was arrested June 16, 2021 on a misdemeanor assault charge against the city's former police chief.