SOUTHGATE, Mich. (WWJ) -- A Melvindale police sergeant has pleaded no contest to willful neglect of duty after an incident with a drunk person on a call back in February.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office says Sgt. Matthew Lawrence Furman and another Melvindale police officer were dispatched to a home in the 173000 block of Clarann Street in Melvindale to respond to a call of a drunk and disorderly person shortly before 10 p.m. on Feb. 1.
While trying to escort the victim downstairs into the basement of the home in order to recover, the prosecutor's office says Furman "had contact with the victim, causing him to fall." The 34-year-old Furman, of Allen Park, then willfully neglected his duty while handling the intoxicated victim, according to prosecutors. According to a story in The News-Herald, the victim fell down the stairs. Furman had allegedly throw a salad bowl across the floor and told the man to "get moving."
EMS was called and the victim was taken to a local hospital. Prosecutors did not disclose the injuries the victim sustained.
Furman was arraigned on Monday, pleading no contest to willful neglect of duty, with one year of probation and the condition that he attend anger management classes, with restitution, fines and costs to be determined by the court.
He had also been charged with assault and battery, but prosecutors say that charge will be dismissed at the sentence hearing set for July 12 in 28th District Court.