Former Detroit Police Commander Timothy Leach and officer Frederick Eugene Person are facing charges in connection with the assault of civilian Michael Ryan Karpovich, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor.
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The assault occurred in a Corktown restaurant during St. Patrick's Day Parade festivities. Leach, 48, was demoted to the position of lieutenant shortly after the incident.
On March 11, officers and EMTs were dispatched to a restaurant in the 1400 block of Michigan Avenue in response to multiple 911 calls regarding an unconscious man on the dining room floor.
Leach, off-duty at the time, was working as a security guard at the restaurant. Officials say he did not obtain approval for secondary employment from DPD and did not have a license to work as a private security guard.
It is alleged that he forcibly escorted Karpovich to the front door and, while doing so, allegedly forcibly pushed him, where he fell to the floor and sustained a significant head injury, causing him to lose consciousness.
Karpovich has been released from the hospital, but continues to recuperate from his injuries. Leach allegedly failed to file a report regarding the use of force.
Leach has been charged with the following:
- Assault to do Great Bodily Harm, a 10-year felony
- Aggravated Assault, a one-year misdemeanor
- Neglect of Duty, a one-year misdemeanor
- No License Security Guard, a four-year felony
- Tampering with Evidence, a four-year felony
Officials say Person was present at the scene and was working as security at the restaurant. When questioned by officers, he allegedly knowingly provided false information about the circumstances of the assault, failed to file report regarding the use of force, failed to obtain approval to engage in secondary employment and tampered with evidence.
Person has been charged with Obstruction of Justice, Neglect of Duty and Tampering with Evidence.
”It is disappointing that we have to level charges against one of the Detroit Police Department’s top brass and yet another officer," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "These alleged actions do not represent the hard working men and women who work each day to protect Detroit.”
