HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – Hamtramck police Chief Jamiel Altaheri and another officer have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
The suspension comes amid allegations detailed in an anonymous letter sent to Michigan State Police from someone claiming to be within the department.
The letter accuses the chief of “engaging in a pattern of behavior aimed at grooming members of the department in order to shield or obscure his actions.”
State police officials said they are not currently involved in any investigation into the Hamtramck Police Department.
Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib released a statement characterizing the suspension as potentially retaliatory.
According to the mayor, Chief Altaheri described the action as a “retaliatory action” by the city manager for disciplining an officer who is reportedly a close friend of the manager.
“City manager said there are some allegations against the chief reported by that police officer, that need to be investigated, which the police Chief denies,” the mayor said in a statement.
City Manager Max Garbarino, who was previously ousted as police chief in 2015, denied these claims, stating the suspension was “100% not retaliatory.”
Garbarino said the city plans to hire an outside firm to investigate the matter.
The mayor has also called for an emergency meeting to address the situation.
Altaheri, who joined the department last year after working in New York City, could not be reached for comment.
This development marks another challenge for the city of Hamtramck, following recent controversy involving two city council members who allegedly lived outside city limits.
“We need some answers. We definitely need some answers,” said Hamdi Ali, a Hamtramck resident concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding the situation.
The city manager’s office has not provided specific details about the nature of the investigation or its expected duration.