By J. PATRICK PEPPER
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — Police Officer Richard Michalski is facing several felony charges stemming from an alleged traffic altercation Aug. 29 near on Schaefer Road near I-94 .
Michalski, who was off-duty at the time, was arraigned Oct. 23 in 19th District Court on three counts of felonious assault and one count each of felony firearm, aiming a firearm without malice and brandishing a firearm. Judge William Hultgren freed Michalski on a $10,000 personal bond. A preliminary examination of the evidence against Michalski is scheduled for Nov. 6 at 9 a.m.
Police said the charges were the result of a two-month investigation into the evidence. Because of an ongoing internal investigation, however, reports on the alleged incident are being withheld. Michalski has been suspended without pay since the incident.
Lt. Anthony Mencotti said that Michalski, a Lincoln Park resident, was brought to the police station shortly after the alleged victims called to report the incident, although it is not clear what exactly transpired.
Mencotti said Michalski has been with the department for four years as a midnight patrol officer. Michalski has no history of violence or aggression issues with the deparment, Mencotti said.
“He’s had nothing in his file, no discipline at all,” Mencotti said. “He’s a hard-working police officer.”