by
Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri
Updated information at the bottom of this article
An independent investigation released Sunday concluded that Hamtramck Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri and Police Officer David Adamczyk, both on suspension pending the outcome of an inquiry, committed acts of misconduct that could justify termination.
The Detroit News reports that the chief destroyed evidence and handed a civilian volunteer a loaded gun, while Officer Adamczyk committed time card fraud and other departmental violations.
The 59-page report by the law firm Miller Johnson also criticized suspended City Manager Max Garbarino for acting too slowly to suspend Altaheri and Adamczyk when he learned of the allegations of misconduct, The News reports. Altaheri is the first Yemeni American to serve as police chief of the majority-Muslim city.
Ironically, in May, Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib expressed anger that Garbarino had placed the chief on leave before giving him a chance to defend himself. At a meeting later that month, the mayor successfully convinced the council to place Garbarino on leave pending the outcome of the probe into the chief and officer, who were already suspended.
According to The News:
While the report concluded that all three should be disciplined, Miller Johnson recommended that the City Council weigh the findings against Garbarino's pending whistleblower lawsuit against the city, noting that “termination may carry heightened litigation risk due to his whistleblower claims.” The firm also cautioned that any firings could lead to litigation by Altaheri and Adamczyk, who is protected by a union contract.
The council is scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the findings.
The News was unable to obtain comment from the chief, the officer, or the mayor. Garbarino said the report “exaggerated” the findings against him.
Updated Information, Tuesday, 11:15 a.m.
The Detroit News reports Chief Altaheri faces serious allegations in the report that he destroyed evidence, drove his city-issued truck after drinking alcohol and pressured his officers to help him in a custody dispute with the mother of his 2-year-old son.
In a posting on Facebook, he wrote:
"While I strongly dispute many of the conclusions drawn within it, I recognize that this has been a difficult time for our city and our police department. As Police Chief, I have always worked to build stronger ties between our officers and the community we serve. Under my leadership, we have expanded community outreach, modernized department operations, and made important strides in public safety. It is unfortunate that these positive contributions are absent from the report."
"I also understand the seriousness of the concerns raised. I am committed to working with the Mayor, City Council, and the City’s legal team to address those concerns in a way that strengthens our department and the city we serve with pride and honor. I believe that accountability and fairness must go hand in hand. Out of respect for the process, I will not comment further on the details of the investigation at this time as to allow the legal process to fully work for all involved."
The report also said that while the allegations against City Manager Garbarino were mostly unsubstantiated, investigators determined he used "significant poor judgment" by attending a June 10 council meeting, armed with a concealed pistol, after having been placed on administrative leave, The News reports. They also criticized him for acting too slowly to suspend Altaheri and Adamczyk when he learned about their alleged misconduct.
