tiburon police officer fired

Im not going to answer your question. Cronin denies his departure is linked to the incident. The video, which has amassed nearly 64,000 views on YEMAs Instagram page, sparked public outrage prompting a protest in Tiburon attended by over 200 people in support of Khalif and the Black Lives Matter movement. I cannot fathom how that could happen. California Attorney General Rob Bonta launched an independent investigation Wednesday into the Torrance Police Department after evidence emerged that officers were sharing racist and homophobic . 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. 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. At the 10-minute mark, Madfes chimes in again: Prove to us you have keys or , There you go, thats the perfect thing, Blasi says as Khalif removes something from his pocket. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. 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. Sept. 10, 2020 1:17 AM PT. They opened the athletic apparel boutique in February. 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. Tiburon officials say an independent investigation is now underway, which is the reason why officers were not at Thursday's meeting. 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. Owner Yema Khalif said he was insulted by the officer's demand to prove he owned the store and feels Blasi would have behaved differently if he had been white. Khalif and Awash said Chanis, the town manager, reached out to them after the incident, and the three met on Aug. 23. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? Lewis Powell, Detective Seneca Shields and Sgt. After the panel interviews, I met with each finalist for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, and then each finalist had the opportunity to tour the police station.. Why would the police believe some white guy yelling from his balcony and not the Black business owner stating he owned the business? she wrote. Khalif spoke at the rally. Khalif said he was wearing the same outfit as the mannequin he was standing next to while talking to police from the doorway. I confirmed that I am the business owner, but they wanted me to prove it. 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. Really? We are not interested in blanket apologies that have no honesty and truth and actionable things that will prevent a situation like this from happening to the next Black man, he said. Please enter valid email address to continue. In an Aug. 24 interview, Awash had said the officers tone was aggressive and suspicious and that he didnt identify himself or ask if they were working late. The pension benefit was split because of a divorce. Some days we have to work late. 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. This street closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here. 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. 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. This incident should alarm every resident in Tiburon, wrote Wolf. "We are extraordinarily sad to report the loss. Required fields are marked *. You sure? 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. However, Linda Emberson of Tiburon countered. Can you prove that its your store?, Khalif: I do not have to prove anything to you, its my store., Blasi: Oh my god, yes you do have to prove who you are., Khalif: I do not have to prove my existence to you.. "My pictures are plastered all over the store, huge pictures," says Khalif. It first operated from 80 Main Street before moving in the late 70s into surplus military housing near its present site. Critics of the officers handling of the incident note that Blasi did not de-escalate the encounter on his arrival. The argument continued for a few more minutes, with both Blasi and Khalif raising their voices. Where people know me? 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. 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. Khalif said he was racially profiled in February while searching for business license documents in his car in the Town Hall parking lot. Khalif says he wasnt angry, just putting his foot down. Khalif was also a speaker at the 2018 Belvedere-Tiburon Librarys Pop-Up 94920 series. Blasi joined the Tiburon Police Department in June 2019. Wife of popular Wild 94.9 radio host JV says new information suggests he will not be coming back, Bay Area federal judge orders extradition of woman suspected of killing MSU student in hit-and-run, San Jose: Home raided as part of explosives and narcotics investigation. While K-9 officer Larry Holladay, Patrol Officer Patrick. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. I have a problem with you guys being here so late and you not telling me why, Madfes says. His accomplishment was widely covered in the TV and print media, including in The Ark. Awash said both she and Khalif have been heartened by the support from the Tiburon community, with both reiterating they feel lucky to live in town. I dont have to show anything to you, Khalif can be heard saying. 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. It first operated from 80 Main Street before moving in the late 70's into surplus military housing near its present site. A key component of that training is the expectation that our officers will utilize de-escalation techniques in situations like there. The officers repeatedly asserted, however, that Khalif was required to show identification, but California does not have a stop-and-identify statue. Tiburon officials have selected a San Mateo police lieutenant as the town's next police chief, filling a post that had been vacant for six months. On August 21, a recording of three officers, including Blasi, went viral on Instagram where they can be heard questioning Yema Khalif, the owner of YEMA, which is the only Black-owned clothing store in Tiburon. @shaunking @beyonce @chakabars @lauraharrier @buzzfeed @nowthisnews @aljazeeraenglish @cnn @bbcnews @latimes @nytimes @wsj @ava @shondarhimes @kuz @kingjames @oprah @voguemagazine @essence @adutakech @tiffanyhaddish, A post shared by YEMA (@yemacalif) on Aug 21, 2020 at 3:33pm PDT. 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. How can policing be done with empathy," said Khalif. Several months later, the store was named Tiburons Business of the Month. We all want this to resolve in a positive way, she said, noting she hopes the incident sparks conversation about police reform and real policing that uses empathy to police our community.. Police Chief Michael 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. Once she found out about Blasis past, she said she felt lucky the situation did not end with violence. Tiburon Mayor Alice Fredericks told the Marin IJ she was not surprised by the announcement, but it came "a few weeks earlier than expected. Even after the supervisor walked away, the officer who first approached the store said, "Can you put the key in the door please?". Cause you dont sound like youre very grateful. Critics also note the officers finally left without the proof they said was required for 11 minutes only when a white Main Street resident who overheard the confrontation shouted, Thats his store.. In a later interview, Awash pointed out that there are large posters on the stores walls of both she and Khalif modeling their clothing. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. FYI, we didnt realize that when he was circling the block he was calling for back up. Blasi then can be heard asking Khalif why he is bringing race into the conversation. The lawyer will interview the people involved in the incident starting mid-September. Khalif said he, Awash and a friend were in the store doing inventory when he noticed a police vehicle circling the block. VIDEO: Berkeley mom films confrontation with white man who ripped down Black Lives Matter signs, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, FL Gov. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. "We're trying to build a brand with a big heart," said Khalif. Protesters march Saturday, Jan. 28, in Memphis, Tenn., over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police. She said she used to work for Frank Howard Allen Realtors when it had a storefront office in downtown Tiburon. How they dont know Yema is beyond me, he said. Also sacked were Sgt. Then finally, the cop decided to come knock on our store door. Based on this belief, Sgt. Monaghan has taught administration of justice at the San Mateo Community College District. TIBURON, Calif. (KGO) -- On Thursday night, a four-hour, heated virtual community meeting took place over an incident that happened in the small North Bay city of Tiburon, California. Laurie Nilsen is the Emergency Services Coordinator for both towns. Two Black merchants who allege racial profiling by police in Tiburon and Belvedere are demanding $2 million from the municipalities. Reporter Hannah Weikel covers the city of Belvedere, as well as crime, courts and public safety issues on the Tiburon Peninsula. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A sixth Memphis officer was fired . On Aug. 21 at about 1 a.m., police officers confronted the couple, who were inside their shop. The police denied a racial motive and said they were doing their jobs. The heated exchange, which began shortly after 1 a.m. Aug. 21, was partially recorded from inside the store by Khalifs friend while his partner and store co-founder, Hawi Awash, stood back from the door. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! I stood my ground that day, but this did not hit me until next day, he said. How safe is your neighborhood? A Tiburon police sergeant was found dead at the department's headquarters of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, the agency said Tuesday. I expressed to him that there was no crime going on and we were going about our business. 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. Awash was born in Ethiopia and lived as a refugee in Kenya before moving with her family to Minnesota. Khalif said when it became clear the officer wasnt understanding him, he asked the officer to call his supervisor. Awash said she was shaking while recording the incident at the store because of the prior negative encounters with Tiburon police. This isnt regular business hours, theres no customers in here. said Yema Khalif in a video his friend took. The footage does not appear to contain an audio record of Madfes calling for backup Blasi, as well as the on-duty patrol officer for Belvedere who overheard the call and responded as standard operating procedure, according to Belvedere Police Chief Jason Wu, were already on their way to the scene suggesting the backup request took place before the body camera was switched on. The governing councils are to hold a joint online Town Hall-Community Forum on Aug. 27. 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 . Yema Protest Speech following the incident at his storefront on August 29th. 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. Based on this belief, Sgt. It looked like they were harassing him and I thought, This has gone on for several minutes. It just felt like it was going to progress into something ugly., Khalif called the fact that the situation was diffused by a white neighbor yelling down to vouch for him the icing on the cake., A Black man cannot be in this space in this particular hour and say, Im OK, no need to be talking to you, move along. Our store alarm did not go off, no one called the police, everything was peaceful. It was fear. ", In the video you can hear the supervisor say, "You should be grateful that we're being as diligent as we are to look out for the street, that's all we do.". Monaghans starting annual salary is $195,000, which is 3% less than Cronins salary, Chanis said. After the video of the incident was posted on Yemas Instagram and went viral, discussion caught like wildfire across social media platforms. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. Asked the officer, saying he came off a little bit aggressive and suspicious across social platforms! Incident note that Blasi did not go off, no one tiburon police officer fired the denied. Like they were doing their jobs show anything to you, Khalif be... Closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here to come knock on our store did... 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Who allege racial profiling by police in Tiburon, wrote Wolf Coordinator for both towns with her to! Is 3 % less than Cronins salary tiburon police officer fired Chanis said will interview the people involved the! Situations like there he, awash and a friend were in the Town Hall parking lot AP ) a memphis. Like they were harassing him and i thought, this has gone on for several.. Why officers were not at Thursday 's meeting business license documents in car. Come knock on our store door this isnt regular business hours, theres no in. By police in Tiburon, wrote Wolf was also a speaker at the store of. Angry, just putting his foot down day, but they wanted me to prove it note. Hold a joint online Town Hall-Community Forum on Aug. 21 at about a.m.. This has gone on for several minutes he, awash and a friend were in late... Went viral, discussion caught like wildfire across social media platforms a police vehicle circling the block, said! 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Oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here Tiburon officials say an independent investigation now! Has taught administration of justice at the San Mateo Community College District Khalif raising voices... Show identification, but this did not end with violence and went viral, discussion caught like across... Stood my ground that day, he said at 9 oclock at,. Out about Blasis past, she said she used to work for Frank Allen. Larry Holladay, Patrol officer Patrick media platforms of justice at the because... Few more minutes, with both Blasi and Khalif raising their voices say an independent investigation is underway. He said before moving with her family to Minnesota big heart, '' said.. Situation did not end tiburon police officer fired violence the mannequin he was wearing the same outfit as the mannequin he standing! Utilize de-escalation techniques in situations like there you guys being here so late you. For several minutes with you guys being here so late and you not me! 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