Hamtramck residents press for fair, transparent investigation after police chief placed on leave; council declines immediate action

Hamtramck — Residents, union representatives and elected officials filled a special city council meeting May 23 to press for a transparent investigation after Police Chief Jamil Altahiri was placed on paid administrative leave amid multiple allegations and media reports.

Mayor (unnamed) opened the meeting and told the room, “we're not here to punish anyone today. We just want to make sure that the investigation is fair and transparent.” The comment framed the session, which included dozens of public commenters and emails read into the record supporting both Chief Altahiri and City Manager Maxwell Garbarino.

Why it matters: The accusations have drawn FBI and county-level attention, prompted a spate of public emails and in-person testimony, and raised questions among residents about whether the city should rely on federal investigators, the Michigan State Police or a privately contracted investigative firm. Speakers warned that any hasty personnel action could invite costly litigation or further damage to the city’s reputation.

Public comment and union statements

Speakers representing the Hamtramck police unions — read into the record by a city clerk — asked the public to “reserve their personal opinion until the completion of the investigation,” and said they supported both City Manager Maxwell Garbarino and Chief Jamil Altahiri during the inquiry. Several residents echoed that call in person, saying they had seen quick operational improvements under Garbarino and Altahiri and urging council not to remove staff before investigations conclude.

Multiple commenters explicitly urged federal involvement. One email read by the clerk said the author had “consource confirmed to me that the FBI is involved” and called the suspension with pay the proper administrative response while an investigation proceeds. Others, including a number of residents who identified themselves as long-time Hamtramck citizens and business owners, said the suspension was appropriate and asked that the process be handled without political interference.

Allegations, investigative options and conflict concerns

Public remarks and council discussion referenced several strands of alleged misconduct: criminal allegations that drew mention of the FBI and the Monroe County prosecutor, internal personnel complaints, and specific accusations involving a Wayne County detective identified in public testimony as David Adamczyk (spelled variously in comments). One speaker alleged Detective Adamczyk suggested staging evidence; the speaker said he refused to participate.

Council members and the city manager discussed investigative options. The city manager and some council members said federal authorities have been contacted; others favored a separate review by law enforcement such as the state police. The council also discussed contracting an outside investigative firm — the administration named AG Advisors Global, described during the meeting as headed by a retired FBI agent and a firm that has done high-profile investigations — but many speakers and at least one council member voiced concern about a potential conflict of interest and urged the FBI or state agencies instead.

Council procedure and outcome

The mayor asked for a motion to begin discussion; a motion to start discussion was made and seconded but no formal votes on personnel action were taken. Council briefly debated whether a private third-party investigator could be jointly selected; the mayor and other members said they wanted an outside review, and the mayor said he would seek an independent option agreeable to all council members. Before any formal decision could be reached, council lost its quorum during the meeting. A planned closed-session deliberation could not proceed as an official closed session because of the lack of quorum, and the mayor announced the meeting would end without a final vote.

What council said it would do next

Council and the mayor said they would pursue a fair and transparent inquiry and that anyone named in allegations should have the opportunity to respond to investigators. Multiple speakers asked that federal authorities (the FBI) or the Michigan State Police handle criminal elements of the inquiry and that any internal review be conducted by an outside, reputable law-enforcement reviewer agreed to by the council.

Community reaction and risks

Public commenters repeatedly warned that rushed or partisan personnel decisions could lead to expensive litigation and further harm the city’s standing. Several speakers urged council to avoid private contractors with prior ties to city staff; others said the city manager’s contract and past relationships needed scrutiny as part of any impartial review. The meeting produced no disciplinary action; instead it ended with a pledge from the mayor and council to pursue an investigation whose scope and lead investigators remain to be finalized.

Ending note

No votes were recorded on suspensions or terminations at the May 23 special meeting. City officials said they will continue coordinating with investigating agencies and return to the council with proposals once a mutually acceptable process is identified.