The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. 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. 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. (WIAT) Wayman Newton, the mayor of Tarrant, was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday. He described one meeting a few months back where he said Newton tried to instigate a fight with him. 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.. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton said he plans to be exonerated of a misdemeanor assault charge lodged against him by the citys former police chief. Newton said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. Newton held a press conference at Tarrant City Hall on Thursday to discuss the case. 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. I do not represent the Mayor, Councilor Bryant or any other employee in its individual capacity, he said. I know how things are supposed to be done, he said. The incident was caught on camera. Westlake Fire operates on this system using Site 3 (Northeast Tarrant), Westlake contracts with the City of Keller for police and animal control services. Mayor Wayman Newton on Thursday confirmed Jefferson County Sheriffs Capt. Tarrant County /QuickLinks.aspx. The conversation evolved into a shouting match, Newton said. 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. Bryant said he isnt opposed to changes in the city, but believes Newton is going about things in an aggressive way. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. A veteran lawman has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. Milwaukee Police Department. 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Newton, elected in 2020 as the city's first Black mayor,. In response, Bryant claimed that he called Newton little boy, and that Newton had been trying to instigate himand that he meant the comment only to turn the tide on the situation. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. 4 were here. Chief Rickels had a felony charge and that also involved a gun,' he said. Two different standards for two different people, he said. Newton was also acquitted on a harassment charge obtained by city council member Tommy Bryant who signed the misdemeanor warrant against him claiming the mayor made, in part, sexually explicit comments about the councilmans wife. Im very, very excited.. People have been trying to throw obstacles in my way. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. She argued that it was clear from watching embarrassing city council meetings every week that he has some enemies. Major has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, beginning his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Mayor Newton is trying hard for the citizens of Tarrant, she said. That incident ultimately led to a misdemeanor assault charge filed by Reno against Newton. Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major confirms Bryant was arrested Thursday morning on a theft of services charge. Check the . 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. Newton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer at 4:09 p.m. Wednesday with bond set at $1,000. And thats what Ive been doing, he said. 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. Although the numbers dont tell a damning tale, Newton said, Tarrant historically has had a problem.. 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. He has no regard for the proper procedures to do anything.. 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. But Reno said he has his own video of the incident and it shows the door being slammed on his elbow. Newton said he expects the charge against him to be dropped after video of the incident is handed over to the District Attorneys Office. 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. The city of Tarrant does not have a police chief or a fire chief at this time. 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 Is there a reason you got rid of every white department head in the city? I take that job and responsibility very seriously. 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. 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. Wendell Major has been chosen as the first Black police chief in Tarrant. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media He also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and consulted with the U.S. Department of State in training police forces in Afghanistan. At this point Im happy. And hopefully and once it works its way through the proper channels, those videos will be released to the public,' Newton said. This is the official Facebook page for the Tarrant Police Department located within Jefferson County, Alabama.. Tarrant Police Department | Tarrant City AL I hope it dont offend you. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. We appreciate the community's help in keeping everyone safe. Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing. He explained his version of the events during a phone call with The Tribune. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) The city of Tarrant has announced it has terminated its fire chief after he was arrested last month in Georgia. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). Newton said he helped solidify an internal affairs office to keep track of any alleged police misconduct. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Money Services Business Registrations; Moter Carriers 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. Reno claimed he was injured when Newton slammed a door on him. Tarrant City Council member Tommy Bryant was arrested Monday after he reportedly attacked Mayor Wayman Newton, according to the mayor. 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. 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. In an ever-evolving city and police department, Deputy Chief Criado embraces new challenges and change. 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. The conversation evolved into a shouting match, Newton said. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. Video of alleged "assault" on former Tarrant Police chief, Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. 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. I didnt cuss him back. Newman released video footage of the alleged assault. 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. For his part, Reno denied any pattern of discriminatory hiring. He was released at 4:29 p.m. He has no regard for the proper procedures to do anything.. TARRANT, Ala. (WBRC) - Tarrant City Councilman Tommy Bryant was arrested Thursday morning, Nov. 10, his second arrest this week, after a towing company says he drove away in his vehicle without paying. All rights reserved (About Us). Cold Cases, Missing and Unsolved Crimes. 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Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. And as I stated before, there is a video of this incident, which will be released to the authorities. Newton said hes moving forward with his plans to better the city. 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. My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new, Newton told The Daily Beast. Find an Ordinance; Apply For a Job; Submit a Bid; Submit a Comment; . 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. He can look and see what it could be without the historical hindsight of what it was, he said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. We have lived in the past, he said. Joel Kimbrough, who is white, has lived in Tarrant his whole life and owns a printing business there. 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. We have lived in the past, he said. Newton surrendered to authorities Wednesday after retired Chief Dennis Reno swore out a warrant on Newton for third-degree assault. Newton said Reno told him that he didnt hire Black officers because Black officers dont like to police their own.. 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). 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. Its like now all hes doing is trying to oppose anything Mayor Newton is doing. 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 material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Job Opportunities Currently hiring APOST Certified Officers at jobsquest.org Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow Police Contact Information Citations. Kimbrough, 65, said the city has a lot of potential and a significant budget given its size. He never gave me a chance.', Reno said he told Newton during the only conversation they had about the racial makeup of the police force was, I dont hire off race, I hire off qualifications..