Hamtramck City Council: City manager removed police chief

City Council says city manager is conducting investigation into Chief Garbarino

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – Elected leaders in Hamtramck held a special meeting Monday evening to discuss why Police Chief Max Garbarino was escorted from the police department on Friday and placed on paid administrative leave.

However, not a lot of detailed information came out of the meeting, and that did not go over well with the City Council and mayor.

City Council members said they have no information on why Garbarino has been put on leave. They said the city manager, Karina Powell, made the decision on her own. The investigation is being conducted by Powell, not by law enforcement. She's been on the job for 63 days. She assumed the position after a state-appointed emergency manager left. The emergency manager appointed Powell city manager when he left.

Sources told Local 4 the investigation centers around missing police documentation such as tickets. However, Powell would not say what the investigation into Garbarino is about.

City Council members are upset they were not made aware of any issues with the police chief. They asked the city attorney during Monday's meeting why they were not given a legal option.

In a phone conversation last week, Garbarino told Local 4 he has no idea what the accusations against him are and declined an interview on camera until that's revealed. He had to turn in his badge, computer, flash drive and police vehicle. He has retained an attorney.

Garbarino was at Monday evening's meeting where he asked City Council why he has been placed on leave.

"Friday I was placed on leave and frankly I don't know why," he said. "I humbly ask to at least have the reason why I was put on leave. I don't have any idea what this could be and I think it's only fair and just that I have a right to know why my gun, badge (and) ID was taken from me."

He did not receive an answer.

"It's the whole thing, the entire process. We are elected by the people for the people for a reason," said Councilman Anam Miah.

Miah told Local 4 his phone was jammed with calls on Friday after news of Garbariano being escorted from the building leaked. Technically the chief is on administrative leave. City Council directed the city attorney to give a legal opinion on whether proper procedures have been followed here. They are concerned the city is vulnerable to a lawsuit.

Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski said this was "a complete surprise" to her. She said she had no idea this was coming.

Garbarino has been with the Hamtramck Police Department since 2001. He was made chief in 2012.

Lt. Anne Moise has been named interim chief.