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Resident alleges improper detention, assault and procedural lapses by Wayne police; council hears public comment
Summary
At the June 3 meeting a resident, DaVincent McFarland, publicly alleged he was improperly detained, assaulted by an officer, and later charged without notification; he said Lieutenant Perez initially cleared him but later an arraignment occurred without his being served.
During the public‑comment period at the June 3 Wayne City Council meeting, DaVincent McFarland, a property owner and veteran, alleged multiple civil‑rights and police‑conduct problems connected to incidents at his home earlier in May.
McFarland told the council he was the subject of a police and fire response on May 9 after a complaint about a permitted fire pit and wood burning. He said officers and Westland police were present and that he was detained and humiliated; he said Lieutenant Perez later “cleared” him of wrongdoing and provided a copy of the ordinance. McFarland said he nevertheless learned at arraignment that he had been charged with leaving a threatening voicemail—a charge he said he never was served with—and that he intended to represent himself in the matter.
McFarland also alleged that on May 19 Officer Jeremy Sermon verbally and physically assaulted him, forced him down a ravine and interfered with his movement after McFarland said he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights. He said video and body‑worn camera footage exist and that his later public‑records requests have been redacted; he said he would make videos public and pursue legal remedies. The council allowed him additional time beyond the standard three‑minute public‑comment limit to finish his remarks.
Council members directed standard public‑comment decorum and asked procedural clarifying questions but did not take immediate action. City staff and police did not provide an on‑the‑record response during the meeting; McFarland said he will present video evidence at a future appearance. The council did not vote or direct staff to open an independent inquiry during the meeting; any formal investigation or legal action would follow established department and municipal procedures.
