Melvindale police lieutenant accused of 3 assaults faces charges

Melvindale police officer accused of assaulting multiple people

A Melvindale police lieutenant is set to be arraigned on assault and misconduct charges Friday stemming from three separate allegations of force used against people stopped by police.

MELVINDALE, Mich. (FOX 2) - A Melvindale police lieutenant accused of assaulting people while working three separate times was arraigned on criminal charges Friday, a day after the prosecutor's office announced charges against him and detailed the alleged crimes.

Lt. Matthew Furman is facing three counts of assault and three counts of misconduct in office. He was given a $50,000 personal bond. 

The backstory:

According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, the first alleged assault happened on July 23, 2021. Authorities said that on that day, Furman joined a pursuit that ended in Dearborn.

When the pursuit was over and the suspect was being held on the ground by other officers, Furman allegedly kicked the suspect in the leg and ankle multiple times while he was being placed in handcuffs.

The other two alleged assaults happened last year - one in April and one in July.

On April 13, 2024, Furman stopped a woman in the parking lot of a school in the 19600 block of Wood Avenue in Melvindale for expired plates and no insurance. He asked the woman for her license and registration. According to authorities, the woman did not comply but continued to ask Furman questions until he opened her door and tried to force her out of the vehicle.

When he couldn't get her out of the vehicle, he allegedly tased her in the leg before ordering the woman and her children out of the vehicle.

A few months later, on July 20, 2024, Furman again allegedly used force during a traffic stop. According to the prosecutor's office, he stopped a 36-year-old Melvindale man in the area of Homestead Avenue and Wall Street in Melvindale for improper plates. When the man said he did not have his identification with him, Furman told him to get out of the vehicle and place his hands on the vehicle's roof.

The prosecutor said the man did so. While the man was standing with his hands on the vehicle's roof, Furman allegedly tased him in the back. Other officers then arrived to assist with arresting the driver. Once those officers got the man on the ground, Furman allegedly put his food on his ribs.

The driver was injured, and medics were called to the scene. While the man was being treated by the Dearborn Fire Department EMS, Furman allegedly got into an argument with the driver, which led to the officer grabbing the man by his shirt and hair and pulling him against the fire truck.

What they're saying:

"It is important to remember that the majority of our police officers are bravely placing their lives on the line every day and proudly serving with the utmost integrity. The alleged behavior of this officer is a criminal and does a disservice to the men and women who have taken an oath to protect and serve all of our citizens," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

"The Melvindale Police Department also responded to the charges in a statement:

"The Melvindale Police Department was made aware of an officer complaint against Lieutenant Matthew Furman. An internal investigation was initiated. Due to the nature of the allegations, the Melvindale Police Department determined that the matter needed to be forwarded to an outside agency.

"The Melvindale Police Department contacted the Michigan State Police Department for an external investigation.

"On 08/07/2025, the Melvindale Police Department was made aware of criminal charges against Lieutenant Matthew Furman, stemming from their investigation. Lieutenant Matthew Furman was placed on unpaid administrative leave and his Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (M.C.O.L.E.S.) license was suspended.

"The Melvindale Police Department would like to thank the Michigan State Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance."

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