MELVINDALE, Mich. – Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Melvindale police officer Matthew Furman, 40, with misconduct in connection with three separate incidents.
July 23, 2021, in the aea of Outer Drive and Dartmouth Street in Dearborn
At approximately 3:30 p.m., Van Buren Township police officers, assisted by Wayne County Airport police officers, Dearborn police officers, and Michigan State Police Troopers, were in pursuit of a 35-year-old man from Taylor who had fled from a traffic stop.
At approximately 3:54 p.m., Furman was in the area of Outer Drive and Palmer Street when he joined the pursuit of the driver.
Officers pursued the fleeing driver to the area of Outer Drive and Dartmouth Street in Dearborn, where Van Buren Township police officers were able to disable the driver’s vehicle.
The driver attempted to flee the scene on foot but was tackled by officers.
While he was being held by officers, Furman allegedly kicked the male multiple times in his leg and ankle when he was being secured in handcuffs.
Furman has been charged with a common law offense, misconduct in office, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in the Michigan Department of Corrections, and assault or assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor.
April 13, 2024, the 19600 block of Wood Avenue in Melvindale
At approximately 9:48 a.m., Furman conducted a traffic stop of a 35-year-old Detroit woman’s vehicle in a school parking lot in the 19600 block of Wood Avenue in Melvindale for expired plates and no insurance.
During the traffic stop, Furman asked the woman for her identification, and she did not comply; however, she continued to ask him questions.
It is alleged that Furman then opened the driver’s side door of the woman’s vehicle and attempted to forcibly remove her from the driver’s seat.
When Furman failed to remove her from the car, it is alleged that he deployed his department-issued taser, striking the woman in her left leg.
It is further alleged that Furman ordered the woman and her minor children in the backseat of the car to exit the vehicle.
Medics were called to the scene to treat the woman for her injuries.
Furman has been charged with common law offense- misconduct in office, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, felonious assault, which carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison, and assault or assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor.
July 20, 2024, in the area of Homestead Avenue and Wall Street in Melvindale
At approximately 11:50 a.m., Furman conducted a traffic stop of a 36-year-old Melvindale man’s vehicle around Homestead Avenue and Wall Street in Melvindale for improper plates.
During the traffic stop, Officer Furman asked the man for his identification, and the man said he did not have it with him.
Furman then asked the male to step out of his vehicle and place his hands on the roof.
Once the man stepped out of his vehicle and placed his hands on the roof, it is alleged that Furman deployed his department-issued taser, striking the male in the back.
It is then alleged that Furman kicked the man in his leg and deployed his department-issued taser again, striking the male in the back.
Additional Melvindale police officers were dispatched to the scene to assist in the arrest of the driver.
Once officers placed the man on the ground, Furman allegedly placed his foot on the driver’s rib area.
Medics were called to the scene to treat the man for his injuries.
While being treated by members of the Dearborn Fire Department, it is further alleged that a verbal altercation between the man and Furman escalated to a physical altercation, and Furman grabbed the man by his shirt and by his hair and pulled him against the fire truck.
Furman has been charged with common law offense misconduct in office, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, felonious assault, which carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison, and assault or assault and battery, a 93 93-day misdemeanor.
He is expected to be arraigned on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, after 9 a.m. in 24th District Court.