tiburon police officer fired
A video showing three Tiburon Peninsula police officers repeatedly questioning the identity of a Black business owner working in his Fountain Plaza clothing store about 1 a.m. Aug. 21 has sparked widespread outrage within the community and prompted town officials to order an independent investigation into the conduct of two of the officers. "We are extraordinarily sad to report the loss. That seemed to satisfy the officers, and they promptly left without the proof they had demanded for roughly 10 minutes. TIRURON, Calif. (KRON) Tiburon police sergeant Michael Blasi has resigned after video of the encounter between Tiburon police officers and a Black store owner raised concerns, according. Khalif said when it became clear the officer wasnt understanding him, he asked the officer to call his supervisor. Blasi joined the Tiburon Police Department in June 2019. However, he believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon.. The neighbor, Ken Simpson, lives in his Main Street apartment part-time and said hes also accustomed to hearing noise from patrons and employees of downtown restaurants late at night, but the yelling that woke him up about 1:15 a.m. Aug. 21 sounded like it was escalating quickly. Community members pointed out Cronin had only issued a warning for the protest in Marin City, which is 61 percent non-white, including 38 percent Black, and had issued no such warnings for similar peaceful protests in other nearby predominantly white communities, including Mill Valley. Ultimately, I sign off on every hire for the town, Chanis said. Tiburon resident Nicole Wolf said she would like town officials to take it a step further and fire the officers in the video, as well as Cronin. Michael Blasi resigned after the release of police body-cam video showed Blasi and other officers questioning whether Yema Khalif and his wife Hawi Awash had a right to be in their own downtown store after hours. 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CNN Pittsburgh has moved to fire five police officers after an internal investigation into the October death of a man involved in the suspected theft of a bicycle, officials said Wednesday. A virtual Tiburon town meeting was held Thursday night to discuss an interaction that took place over the weekend between police officers and the only Black store owners in the town. If you have a problem, you tell me . said Yema Khalif in a video his friend took. Khalif acknowledged several times that I want you to look out for my store and I want you to look out for my community, but he repeatedly asked the officers what activity, beyond his presence alone, was suspicious and required explanation. Maybe because I am a blonde caucasian there was no reason that they cared to check on why I was there or felt the need to make me get out my key to prove I belonged there.. While K-9 officer Larry Holladay, Patrol Officer Patrick. 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. That's all we want to know. Doesnt the business owner have some responsibility for not complying, which also couldve de-escalated the situation? asked Reedlands resident Elizabeth Shapiro on Nextdoor. On Aug. 21 at about 1 a.m., police officers confronted the couple, who were inside their shop. A Black business owner is speaking out after Tiburon police demanded proof he was the store's owner. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? The department also updated its use-of-force policy to align with calls to de-escalate police encounters with the public. September 8, 2020 / 7:45 PM Police Chief Michael Cronin said the town has engaged the services of an independent attorney to conduct an investigation into the incident. I think of all of the very late nights I have worked in those offices and never once did the police come by to see who was there as I sat at my desk clearly visible in the window, she said in an email to town officials. Even after the supervisor walked away, the officer who first approached the store said, "Can you put the key in the door please?". Cronin faced backlash in June following a press release that warned residents of Sausalito and Tiburon that they might be targets of unrest caused by a Marin City demonstration in protest of the murder of George Floyd, which remained peaceful. Khalif said he wasnt particularly impressed with that statement. The newly released body-cam footage appears to highlight this further, with clearer audio than the cellphone footage that also shows a stark contrast between Blasis demeanor and that of Madfes, who speaks calmly throughout the first half of the video while Blasi then frequently shouts over Khalif and tells him he should be grateful. Other business owners have come forward to say that on the rare occasions they work late into the night, they've never been stopped and questioned at all, while Khalif was not only interrogated, Madfes had already called for backup before he first knocked on the door. On Aug. 21, Khalif issued a statement on the companys Facebook page explaining what had happened early that morning. Khalif didn't answer the question, saying what people didn't see in the body cam video are the officers who had circled the business multiple times beforehand and had been watching them. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? In our 50th year serving Tiburon, Belvedere & Strawberry. Then show me that its your store, said the officer. I was not specifically aware of that event.. Khalif said he, Awash and a friend were in the store doing inventory when he noticed a police vehicle circling the block. Michael Blasi arrived and an officer asked her husband to take his hands out of his pockets. The argument continued for a few more minutes, with both Blasi and Khalif raising their voices. While Tiburon Police Chief Michael Cronin and Town Manager Greg Chanis have ordered an independent investigation into the incident, the results of which will be reviewed by the Town Council, Cronin said neither Blasi nor the two other officers involved would be suspended or put on administrative leave amid the investigation. Cronin quickly apologized, saying he stood in support of peaceful protests in Marin City and condemned racism, social injustice and police brutality. She said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit biases and eliminate their own fear on the job. "Since becoming Police Chief in 2007, the impact of Mikes leadership has been significant for Tiburon," Chanis said. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith were fired on Jan. 20 after an administrative investigation found they had violated department policy on the. Cause you dont sound like youre very grateful. Khalif said he was wearing the same outfit as the mannequin he was standing next to while talking to police from the doorway. The Black owners of a business in Tiburon have settled a racial profiling claim with the town for $150,000 and the establishment of a police advisory council. A Tiburon police sergeant has resigned following a confrontation with a Black merchant that critics say stemmed from racial profiling. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. The Police Department and Emergency Operations Center are also responsible for developing and maintaining the Emergency Operations Plan for the entire Tiburon Peninsula. Its unfortunate but I think good will come of this, Awash said. Where people know me? D, Tiburon, CA 94920 | 415-435-2652 | Privacy Policy| Designed by Kevin Hessel. Blasi offered, and the town has accepted, his voluntary resignation., On the night of the alleged racial profiling incident, Khalif, his wife. We welcome and encourage your thoughts and comments. ", Khalif: "I do not have to show you nothing. Laurie can be reached at (415)789-2805. At the conclusion of the investigation the report will be provided to the Town Manager for review and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the investigator, Cronin said. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Khalif, a resident for nearly 10 years, says hes been stopped while walking home and had to prove that he lives in Tiburon. The situation started getting out of hand so our friend from DC started recording the exchange (Video below). Madfes, however, again asks Khalif to put the key in the door, but this time Khalif declines: Thats your supervisor, he say you walk away, walk away.. Theyre the ones with the guns, theyre the ones with the badge, theyre the ones with the authority, she said. The newly-released bodycam video can be seen here. Despite resigning, Blasi will cooperate with an independent investigation led by a lawyer the town retained, Chanis said. About 2 minutes into the video, Khalif says that if Madfes has a problem, call your chief of police, call whoever you wanna call at which point Madfes acknowledges his supervisor, Blasi, is already on his way, consistent with Khalifs previous accounts of the incident. Awash, however, said this is not the first negative interaction with Tiburon police; she said shes been stopped more than five times by another officer. Really? The investigation needs to go further than just this incident at Yema, said Adjani, a friend of the store owners. Two Tiburon police officials, Sergeant Michael Blasi and Police Chief Michael Cronin resigned September 1 and 13 following allegations of officers racially profiling a Black store owner in Tiburon. 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. Many speakers provided meaningful suggestions and identified specific actions the councils could consider to ensure our communities are safe and welcoming to all, Chanis said. Awash characterized the conversation as positive. The incident was recorded by Yema Khalifs wife and business partner Hawi Awash from inside their clothing store Yema on Main Street around 1 a.m. Friday. The first officer stayed behind briefly and again asked Khalif to put his key in the door, though Khalif again declined, saying the matter was settled. DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. I cannot fathom how that could happen. Blasi begins asking the same questions as the first officer, including what the three were doing there late at night. Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis announced the resignation in a newsletter saying " [Sgt. The incident revolves around the officers assertions that because most Main Street businesses shut down about 9 or 10 p.m., and theyd never seen workers inside the shop at 1 a.m., Khalif was required to explain to the officers why they were inside and provide some physical evidence identification or a key in the door that he is the owner. A Black business owner believes he was racially profiled by police as he was filling inventory inside his store last Friday at 1 a.m. Ste. What is it that theyre fearing?. 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. Michael Blasi was the supervising officer on Aug. 21 during the incident at Yema, a clothing store on Main Street. In addition to normal police activities, the police station also houses the Emergency Operations Center, which is equipped to manage disaster response for Tiburon and Belvedere. Khalif and Awash said Chanis, the town manager, reached out to them after the incident, and the three met on Aug. 23. You know what, put the key in the door and were outta here., Khalif is seen picking through his keys as he tells Blasi to stand back and not raise his voice at him: Just chill and Ill put my key in the door., Before he can, neighbor Ken Simpson, a part-time resident of a Main Street apartment, yells down twice, Thats his store.. Khalif spoke at the rally. Thank you very much, thats all I need to know, Blasi said in the video and walked away toward Tiburon Boulevard. Town Manager Greg Chanis said Blasi has had several conversations with town officials since the incident. When we hire police, the police chief makes a recommendation, but the town manager approves every hire.. The lawyer will interview the people involved in the incident starting mid-September. Khalif begins speaking over the officer when Awash appears to say, OK baby? but Khalif tells her No, no and again asks the officer if theres a problem. He's hoping the recorded interaction will inspire a different conversation. A video depicting Tiburon police officers in heated exchange with the owner of the towns only Black-owned business while working late in his downtown shop has sparked outrage in the community. Blasi also receives a monthly pension of $3,224 for his time as a sheriffs deputy, said Jeff Wickham, the county pension board administrator. It was fear. "Just because you've never seen me here before I do not have to prove to you that I have to be here," said Khalif in the video. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. After it was over I was shaking, Awash said. This street closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here. The couple was working late with a friend and business associate from Washington, D.C., Awash said, adding that its not uncommon for them to work late into the night setting up displays and doing inventory. Another said, "I am incensed! 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Thursday the City of Tiburon and City of Belvedere held a joint virtual community meeting about an incident where officers questioned a Black business owner, who was working late in his store last week. Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis announced the resignation in a newsletter saying [Sgt. 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