Police Officer Matthew Rodriguez, a 14-year veteran of the Warren police force, has been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery, as well as willful neglect of duty. The charges stem from an incident on June 13, where video evidence captured Rodriguez punching a 19-year-old prisoner and forcefully throwing him into a cell.
Rodriguez, 48, appeared in Warren’s 37th District Court on Tuesday to face the charges. Pending the outcome of a hearing scheduled for Friday with Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer, Rodriguez has been placed on paid suspension. The hearing will determine whether the officer should be terminated from the police force.
The swift intervention by fellow officers following the incident highlights the system’s effectiveness. Immediately after witnessing the use of excessive force, the officers reported the incident, leading to the assault charges. Police Commissioner Dwyer commended the actions of the involved officers, stating that they followed their training and handled the situation appropriately.
During a press conference held at the police headquarters, Commissioner Dwyer, accompanied by Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido, expressed his disgust with Rodriguez’s alleged actions. He emphasized the department’s commitment to transparency and intolerance for misconduct. Dwyer showcased the video evidence, revealing Rodriguez punching the suspect, who had been arrested for carjacking and other charges, before forcefully slamming him to the ground. Within moments, the arresting officers intervened.
Dwyer revealed the timeline of events that unfolded after the incident. The supervisors were notified at 7:15 a.m., and the information reached the police administration by 8 a.m. At 8:10 a.m., an internal affairs investigation was initiated, leading to Rodriguez being placed on paid leave by 9 a.m., in accordance with the Police Officers Association of Warren union contract. As a precautionary measure, the arrestee was sent to the hospital for examination, although he had not requested medical attention. He was later returned to his cell and subsequently transferred to the Macomb County Jail.
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Prosecutor Lucido explained that Rodriguez was not charged with felony assault due to the absence of injury. He emphasized that police officers are not above the law and are subject to the same legal procedures as anyone else. Rodriguez was arraigned in front of Chief Judge John Chmura at the 37th District Court, where a $5,000 personal bond was set.
Commissioner Dwyer expressed admiration for the officers who intervened during the incident, acknowledging their dedication to upholding the law and reporting their fellow officer’s misconduct.