Hamtramck's police chief left with 5 months' pay after a probe found he drove drunk
A 59-page report by law firm Miller Johnson, commissioned by the City of Hamtramck and reported in August 2025, found that Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri engaged in significant misconduct warranting termination. It found he drove a city-issued truck while intoxicated in September 2024, briefly using emergency lights through a red light; had an evidence technician wipe his city phone after his suspension; handed a loaded gun to a volunteer; and pressured officers in a custody dispute. The council voted in August 2025 to fire him, but in October 2025 Altaheri resigned under an agreement that, per his attorney, pays a lump-sum severance of five months' base salary. His attorney called the report one-sided and says Altaheri was a whistleblower. No criminal charges against him have been reported.
The report found that in September 2024, Altaheri drove his city-issued truck while intoxicated and even turned on his emergency lights as he drove through a red light and quickly turned them off.
An independent investigation has substantiated multiple allegations against Hamtramck Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri, including driving a city vehicle after drinking alcohol and pressuring officers to help in a custody dispute.
The investigation concluded that there is enough evidence to discipline all three men, up to and including termination.
the agreement with Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri allows him to receive a lump-sum severance equal to five months of his base salary and to leave his position "in peace and with his good name intact."
His attorney called the report one-sided and said Altaheri was retaliated against for being a whistleblower.
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