09/01/2026
Statement from Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office relating to the August 28th Barricaded/Domestic/OWI incident
Consistent with our Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to transparency and accountability, I am providing an additional update regarding the August 28th incident involving a reported felonious domestic assault, a barricaded-suspect response, and a separate arrest for our community.
Members of our community have raised significant concerns regarding video circulating depicting portions of the arrest. Since the incident, I immediately met with Police Services leadership, heard directly from many
community members, and conducted a preliminary review of all available body-worn camera footage.
Based on the nature of the concerns raised and my preliminary review of the body camera footage, I have directed Internal Affairs to conduct a formal investigation of the incident, including the force used during the arrest, statements made at the scene, and the overall tactics and conduct of the involved personnel. The purpose of this internal investigation is to develop a complete factual record and determine whether the actions of those involved were consistent with Sheriff’s Office policies, training, and professional standards.
Here are all available links for our community including the body camera footage of the arrest:
1. Body Camera Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lREO2F4z29A
2. Use of Force Guidelines: https://www.washtenaw.org/policy-procedures -09c414bcabe176acf534d53ba58732abcbb83d632658b15fd314fc4c3a8ed818
3. Use of Force Guidebook and Policy: https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/mi-washtenawcounty/a7681cf6-19a0-4378-988d-9d085159a96f?cache=1800
4. Community Feedback Form (I am personally reviewing the feedback from our community members submitting thoughts on this for this incident and can assure you they will be taken seriously and an engaged community helps us always improve) https://www.washtenaw.org/community-feedback
5. All other relevant WCSO policies can be found on our website here: https://www.washtenaw.org/policy-procedures -09c414bcabe176acf534d53ba58732abcbb83d632658b15fd314fc4c3a8ed818
Shortly before the encounter, deputies were responding to a reported felonious domestic assault involving a potentially armed and barricaded suspect with children present. A vehicle approached the scene and drove into the secured perimeter and did not stop when directed by deputies. Deputies had information that caused them to believe the driver might be associated with that incident. The deputies ultimately deployed a tire-deflation device and approached the driver as he exited the vehicle.
Body-worn camera footage depicts a deputy directing the individual from the vehicle to get on the ground
during what deputies were treating as a high-risk stop. The footage then depicts physical contact between a deputy and the individual, after which the individual falls forward to the ground and is handcuffed. The Sheriff’s Office is aware of video footage depicting the individual’s head making contact with the curb.
The Sheriff’s Office body-worn camera footage provides additional perspectives of the incident. When reviewed in its entirety, the footage does not clearly establish contact with the curb. All body-worn camera footage will be considered as part of the Internal Affairs investigation along with the full circumstances surrounding the encounter and other relevant evidence. We are grateful that the individual did not sustain serious physical injuries.
Following the arrest, deputies determined that the driver was not the individual suspected in the domestic assault. The driver was separately arrested on suspicion of operating while intoxicated and other alleged conduct associated with entering the secured scene and failing to stop. Those allegations are separate from the administrative review of deputy conduct and will be addressed through the judicial process. The individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Before being lodged at the jail, the individual was treated for a minor scrape to his knee and later received an additional medical evaluation. The children who had been in his vehicle were attended to and released a family member. The other children involved in the domestic-assault response were also located safely
and released to family.
I am sharing this information to provide context regarding what is presently known—not to reach conclusions about whether anyone acted appropriately or inappropriately. Portions of the footage, including the physical interaction and language heard during the encounter, understandably raise questions that warrant careful review. At the same time, a video segment does not, standing alone, resolve questions surrounding a deputy’s use of force. Those determinations require consideration of the circumstances known to deputies at the time and the totality of the evidence.
For that reason, I do not believe it would be appropriate to reach conclusions about the involved employees before the Internal Affairs process is complete. The investigation will determine whether the force, tactics, communications, and other conduct were consistent with Sheriff’s Office policies, training, and professional standards.
I appreciate that members of our community expect incidents involving the use of force to receive
meaningful scrutiny. Our responsibility is to take those concerns seriously while also ensuring a fair and impartial process for everyone involved. Transparency and accountability are best served by developing
the facts carefully rather than reaching conclusions before an investigation is complete.
Sheriff’s Office employees are expected to treat people with dignity, communicate professionally, use deescalation when reasonably possible, and comply with our policies governing the use of force. If the investigation determines that an employee failed to meet applicable policies or professional standards, appropriate action will be taken consistent with law, policy, and applicable personnel procedures. While the investigation proceeds, we are also continuing to reinforce our expectations regarding use of force, de-escalation, and professional communication across the organization. We are expanding deescalation training related to high-risk stops and investing in emotional-intelligence training for
personnel.
These measures should not be interpreted as conclusions regarding the conduct of any employee involved in this incident. They reflect our broader responsibility to continually evaluate our practices, training, and service to the community.
I appreciate the community members who have raised concerns and expect their Sheriff’s Office to take those concerns seriously. Together, we remain committed to creating a safer, more just, and more compassionate Washtenaw County. That work is ongoing.
As public servants, our community is our ultimate boss, and we will continue working hard to improve our responses, continue listening, and continue holding our office and our employees accountable to our policies and our continued training in partnership with our community and stakeholders.
Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer
