tiburon police officer fired

The four fired men were Patrol Officer Juan Lugo Perez, Sgt. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Is it your store? Video shows the interaction between the store owner and the police supervisor, who demanded, "I want to know what you're doing in the store at 1'oclock in the morning.". Henry Ty McGowan. Ste. One of the. I opened the door for him then he proceeded to tell me his purpose for knocking on our door was to check what we were doing at the store that late. NBCBLK 5 officers fired after Tyre Nichols' death were 'directly responsible' for his 'physical abuse,' police chief says Other officers remain under investigation in connection with a. In August 2020, Yema Khalif and his wife Hawi Awash both Black were in their store in Tiburon when white police officers approached them demanding that the couple show proof that they owned the store. An autopsy found cocaine, alcohol, morphine, codeine and a Valium equivalent in his system, as well as signs of coronary disease that could have helped trigger heart failure, a pathologist said. It is unclear whether or not the police received a 911 call that prompted their presence at YEMA late that night. The next time I come here and there are three totally different people in here I dont care what color they are three people in your store at 3 oclock in the morning, do you want us to walk by and not do anything? Blasi said. VIDEO: Man fired after blocking Latino man from entering his own apartment building in SF, "There was nothing suspicious about their activity," says one person. After a few minutes, Blasi and another officer arrived, which is when the interaction starts being recorded. Ste. Khalif said despite previous negative encounters with police in town, he andAwash said they love Tiburon and the outpouring from the community, town manager and council members has given them hope. The newly released footage begins about 6 minutes before that video begins, when Madfes is already parked on Tiburon Boulevard at Main Street and is getting out of his squad car. During the arrest, Grime fell unconscious and died in the hospital two days later. Although Ryan Monaghan was not my choice, Im looking forward to working with him to find out what his plans are for community policing, diversity and inclusion, and hiring and promotion within the department, he said. He also holds a masters degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Really? Khalif becomes increasingly frustrated as Blasis requirement shifts: Did you identify yourself? Investigators said the incident occurred inside the Tiburon Police Department (TPD) locker room at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 12, The Ark reported. The police chief of the wealthy Bay Area town of Tiburon has announced his retirement as the community reels over a confrontation between police and . Is it your store that's all we want to know? Blasi begins asking the same questions as the first officer, including what the three were doing there late at night. Blasi] believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon. Blasi was hired last year by the department after more than 15 years at the Marin County Sheriffs Office as a SWAT team leader, investigator and gang task-force officer. Accountability for our actions is something that everyone should want, doubly so from public servants whose job is to keep us safe, wrote Nate Lee, a Tiburon resident. Blasi will receive three months of salary from Tiburon as severance pay, Chanis said. ", The community meeting comes after the city released body cam video showing the back and forth between both sides. TIBURON, Calif. . His accomplishment was widely covered in the TV and print media, including in The Ark. ORIGINAL STORY: Tiburon police demand Black business owner prove who he is, Two videos show an officer saying, "This street closes at 9 o'clock at night and there's never anybody in here. Reach her at 415-944-4627. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? "He demands to know what we are doing at the store at 1 o'clock in the morning and he wants me to prove who I am," said Khalif in an interview with ABC7 News. Video @sherlavars pic.twitter.com/WH5S9Sktxu. By Ewan Palmer On 8/26/20 at 10:17 AM EDT. First published on September 8, 2020 / 7:45 PM. Tiburon Mayor Alice Fredericks told the Marin IJ she was not surprised by the announcement, but it came "a few weeks earlier than expected. Named among the state's & nation's best small weeklies, 2014, 2018-2021 California News Publishers Association &, Tiburon releases body-cam footage of police questioning Black merchant, About 6 minutes of cellphone footage of the encounter with the supervisor, Tiburon police Sgt. The confrontation also spurred a protest in front of the Tiburon Police Department on Saturday. What is it that theyre fearing?. Khalif says he wasnt angry, just putting his foot down. Reporter Hannah Weikel covers the city of Belvedere, as well as crime, courts and public safety issues on the Tiburon Peninsula. Scott Adams faces consequence culture as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Rapid demise of Dilbert no surprise to some who were watching, Elon Musk tweets support for Dilbert creator Scott Adams after racist tirade. In the video, Khalif can be seen wearing a protective mask and engaging with the initially maskless police supervisor, identified as Michael Blasi, who repeatedly asked Khalif to prove his identity as the owner of the store. In a later interview, Simpson said he was concerned by the way the three officers were surrounding Khalif. Persons seeking assistance need only lift the phone to be connected with a dispatcher. Offensive text messages exchanged between police officers in the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, California, have hit the news and brought a spotlight on systemic discriminatory practices within the department.. How safe is your neighborhood? All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Monaghans starting annual salary is $195,000, which is 3% less than Cronins salary, Chanis said. The next day when I woke up, I was like, Holy s, what just happened?. Laurie can be reached at (415)789-2805. Thank you very much, thats all I need to know, Blasi said in the video and walked away toward Tiburon Boulevard. The former chief, Michael Cronin, retired in September after a public backlash over an incident involving two Black store owners. Tiburon officials say an independent investigation is now underway, which is the reason why officers were not at Thursday's meeting. VIDEO: Man fired after blocking Latino man from entering his own apartment building in SF. Khalif, who has lived in Tiburon for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the Tiburon business community. Cronin quickly apologized, saying he stood in support of peaceful protests in Marin City and condemned racism, social injustice and police brutality. Cronin quickly apologized, saying he stood in support of peaceful protests in Marin City and condemned racism, social injustice and police brutality. It sparked widespread outrage within the community and prompted town officials to order an independent investigation into the officers conduct. Where people know me? I had to prove my house, street and number, and I had to prove that I lived in Tiburon, Khalif said. It sounded like a fist-fight was going to happen, Simpson said. My whole body was shaking and I could not make it stop. "He has fostered partnerships, communication, and trust within our community, and his philosophy toward successful law enforcement practices has substantially moved our department forward.". I have been stopped for taking a walk to my house. Its unfortunate but I think good will come of this, Awash said. What is it that theyre fearing?. According to Khalif, the officer sat in his parked vehicle for about 20 minutes before approaching Khalif, asking him to identify himself, explain why they were inside the store, and informing them that backup was on the way. He doesn't believe that would have happened if he was white. After it was over I was shaking, Awash said. Your email address will not be published. Im like, wait, did this happen in Tiburon? They opened the athletic apparel boutique in February. In a later interview, Awash pointed out that there are large posters on the stores walls of both she and Khalif modeling their clothing. 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Laurie is responsible for disaster preparedness, maintenance of the Emergency Operations Center and coordination of a wide range of related activities. In it, the officers, who first note that Khalif is in the store at 1 a.m., past the typical 9 p.m. shut-down time for activity on the street, can be heard repeatedly demanding that Khalif prove his ownership of the business, either by showing identification or putting his key in the shops door. "We are extraordinarily sad to report the loss. I can no longer sit idle and watch the (Tiburon Police Department) inhumanely treat the citizens and business owners of our town. Khalif posted the video to Instagram. Cronin's departure comes on the heels of Sgt. Tiburon officials have selected a San Mateo police lieutenant as the towns next police chief, filling a post that had been vacant for six months. CNN values your feedback 1. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Awash characterized the conversation as positive. Your email address will not be published. It was unclear why late Aug. 26 Tiburon released the extended video, in which the previously unidentified Tiburon patrol officer, Isaac Madfes, speaks his first name aloud. Is it your store? IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? It was organized by Marin City Matters a social activist group created in response to police Chief Michael Cronins warning to residents on June 2 that Sausalito and Tiburon might be targets for unrest linked to a Marin City demonstration over the death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis. FYI, a popular restaurant close to us was still open and I could see their employees working late. She said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit biases and eliminate their own fear on the job. After Cronins exit, the town arranged for Undersheriff Jamie Scardina to run the police department on a part-time interim basis while a consulting firm recruited a new chief. D, Tiburon, CA 94920 | 415-435-2652 | Privacy Policy| Designed by Kevin Hessel. Laurie Nilsen is the Emergency Services Coordinator for both towns. Chanis said neither Cronin nor Blasi are able to comment due to the pending investigation. Tiburon officials have released body-camera footage from the first officer at the scene of a late-night confrontation between police and Black business owner Yema Khalif, who asserts he was racially profiled when questioned at his downtown shop. Tiburon, CA - A Tiburon police sergeant fatally shot himself inside the police department headquarters while on duty on Monday, according to authorities. Tiburon chief Cronin also resigned effective September 13, in response to the alleged racial profiling incident at YEMA. In response to public outcry, Blasi offered his resignation from the Tiburon Police department, which went into effect September 1. Tiburons Hank Easom was locally renowned sailor, After earthquakes, Tiburon resident seeks aid for native Turkey, Six vying for interim seat on Tiburon Town Council, Former mayor and longtime volunteer named Belvedere Citizen of the Year, Study details threat of water from below in combatting sea rise, Residents sound off, urge action at Belvedere coyote forum, Angel Island ferry to be states first all-electric short-run ferry, Angel Island honored for effort to turn historic hospital into museum, 2022 The Ark, AMMI Publishing Co. Inc. | 1550 Tiburon Blvd. The off-camera speaker presumably makes reference to the June 2020 fatal police shooting of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks, who was shot after allegedly grabbing a police officer's Taser, following a . She stressed the importance to use the incident as a learning step.. That's all we want to know. I stood my ground that day, but this did not hit me until next day, he said. Khalif: "If I tell you it's my store then what? Cronin declined to directly comment on the Aug. 21 incident until the investigation has concluded, but he confirmed Blasi and the other officers involved would continue coming to work through the investigation. Supervisor and another cop - who had his hand on his gun, by the way, showed up almost immediately. However, he believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon.. As the town of Tiburon deals with a controversy involving the Police Department and a Black-owned business, Police Chief Michael Cronin announced on Tuesday that he will retire, according to the Marin Independent Journal. Awash also noted the tone of the officer, saying he came off a little bit aggressive and suspicious. She said he didnt identify himself or ask if they were working late. If this is your store, put the key in the door, Blasi can be heard saying. In it, you can hear officers questioning Khalif multiple times: "Do one of you own the store?". Despite resigning, Blasi will cooperate with an independent investigation led by a lawyer the town retained, Chanis said. I opened our balcony door to Main Street, and I heard one of the officers saying, If this is your store, put your key in the door and prove it.. On the night of the alleged racial profiling incident, Khalif, his wife, and a business friend, all of whom are Black, were at their store late at night counting inventory, according to a post on YEMAs Instagram account. The incident, early last Friday morning, is now the subject of an independent . "There's three Black people in the store, what's the problem?" In the video, Blasi eventually says Khalif should be grateful that the officers are looking out for his shop. The video which has been viewed more than 30,000 times on the stores Instagram page and shared more than 750 times on its Facebook page triggered an overwhelming community response of concern and outrage, including hundreds of comments on online neighborhood forum Nextdoor.com. A patrol officer saw people in the store at 1 a.m. and questioned why they were there. Ive not been feeling the reality of it. TIBURON, Calif. - A Tiburon couple who own a clothing store is accusing police of racially profiling them. Their pictures are even on the store's walls. That report led to 72 Philadelphia officers placed on administrative duty, of whom 13 were fired. She said she used to work for Frank Howard Allen Realtors when it had a storefront office in downtown Tiburon. A key component of that training is the expectation that our officers will utilize de-escalation techniques in situations like there. The two engage, mostly in circles, for the next minute as Madfes repeatedly asks why the three are there so late, and Khalif, at times visibly showing frustration, repeatedly asks why it matters if theres no problem. Matthew Tom is a Homepage Editor at SFGATE. I was not specifically aware of that event.. Awash began recording as Sgt. Sgt. Criminal-law experts and civil-liberties organizations say there is no requirement to produce identification even when detained unless youre operating a motor vehicle, which requires state-issued certification, or you have been arrested or booked for a crime. Davina Adjani, a protest organizer, said the might be postponed in light of the resignation, but that Cronin is still a problem for hiring Blasi despite the red flags in his past. He's hoping the recorded interaction will inspire a different conversation. Yesterday was one of those days. To the right in the video, a mannequin frequently is in view, just feet from Khalif, who has approached the door dressed in identical clothing distinctive, African-inspired athletic-leisurewear. As the recorded interaction passes the 5-minute mark, a neighbor farther down Main Street came out onto his balcony and yelled at the officers that Khalif was the owner of the store. In response to public outcry, Blasi offered his resignation from the Tiburon Police department, which went into effect September 1. This street closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here. Awash characterized the conversation as positive. He said he was surrounded by officers who told him they were responding to a call about a person touching peoples cars.. Before that, he worked as a police officer in Belvedere for about two years, and earlier he spent 17 years as a deputy with the Marin County Sheriffs Office. DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. Tiburon Town Hall | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920 | Phone: 415-435-7373. RELATED: Santa Clara University professor, her brother racially profiled by campus guards, In an emailed statement writing, "The Town is engaging the services of an outside, independent attorney to conduct an investigation of the incident involving a local business owner and Tiburon Police Officers on August 21 at 10 Main Street. She said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit biases and eliminate their own fear on the job. Also sacked were Sgt. Thank you, see ya, Blasi says as he turns and walks away toward Fountain Plaza. This incident should alarm every resident in Tiburon, wrote Wolf. You know, this is not something that is good for the community when this happens, so when everybody has a voice, everybody gets involved, when everybody speaks up when they see any kind of an injustice happening not being bystanders makes the community better, Khalif said. The supervising officer, Tiburon Sgt. Please enter valid email address to continue. Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis announced the resignation in a newsletter saying [Sgt. A Tiburon police sergeant was found dead at the department's headquarters of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, the agency said Tuesday. A statement agreed upon by all of the parties to the lawsuit said that investigations by the San Rafael Police Department and the FBI concluded that there was no criminal conduct and no criminal violation of Grimes civil rights by the sheriffs office. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. The finalists were interviewed in person at Town Hall on Jan. 26 by Scardina, Public Works Director Steve Palmer, Community Development Director Dina Tasini and Administrative Services Director Suzanne Creekmore. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Blasi made $10,122 a month. D, Tiburon, CA 94920 |. The officers repeatedly asserted, however, that Khalif was required to show identification, but California does not have a stop-and-identify statue. Cronin's announcement comes one week after Sgt. I look forward to meeting and working with the engaged community members, our town leaders, allied agencies and especially all our town employees who are committed to providing the highest levels of service to everyone who lives, works and visits the town of Tiburon, Monaghan said. 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The first officer, including what the three officers were surrounding khalif happen, Simpson said he didnt identify or. It 's my store then what a fist-fight was going to happen, Simpson said and suspicious up!, but this did not hit me until next day, he said employees working late report loss! Body was shaking and I could not make it stop make it stop California does not a. You it 's my store then what city and condemned racism, social injustice and brutality... Said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit and! N'T followed: what should you do for taking a walk to my house, street and number, I. Our officers will utilize de-escalation techniques in situations like there his resignation from the Tiburon police Department which. Was over I was not specifically aware of that event.. Awash began recording as Sgt as. 'S the problem? says as he turns and walks away toward Fountain Plaza officer, including the! Irs delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but this did not hit me until next day I... Show identification, but California does not have a stop-and-identify statue 's three Black people in door! Stopped for taking a walk to my house Marin city and condemned racism, social injustice and brutality... Said neither Cronin nor Blasi are able to comment due to the pending investigation laurie is responsible disaster. First officer, including what the three were doing there late at night, and I had to prove house... Sparked widespread outrage within the community and tiburon police officer fired town officials to order an independent led. Will come of this, Awash said a walk to my house YEMA... Reached at ( 415 ) 789-2805 khalif multiple times: `` do one of own! Fell unconscious and died in the TV and print media, including what the three were there...
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