‘Terrified by You’: Black Mother Tasered by Officer With Troubled Record

Lt. Matthew Furman of the Melvindale Police Department in Michigan has become the face of the kind of officer many fear—one who uses his authority to target, mistreat, and intimidate Black individuals. Despite being involved in several controversial incidents over the years, Furman has continued to rise through the ranks.

Bodycam footage paints a disturbing picture of Furman as a domineering officer who seems to take satisfaction in tasering and arresting Black citizens even when there’s no clear threat to his safety.

His internal records show a pattern of misconduct. Over the last 12 years, Furman has faced suspensions, termination, lawsuits, and even criminal charges.

Yet today, Furman holds the position of lieutenant and supervises a team of officers, earning nearly $110,000 annually, according to OpenGovPay. This salary stands in stark contrast to the local average income of just over $41,000.

Even local news outlets—often hesitant to take a firm stance on police misconduct—refer to him as “Melvindale’s most polarizing police officer.”

Furman’s behavior has shaken public trust. A former police chief who tried to hold Furman accountable said he was fired for doing so, claiming Furman was protected because he brought in large amounts of revenue through vehicle impounds.

One of Furman’s most recent encounters, caught on camera and released last week, occurred in April of last year. Furman approached a Black woman, Alicia Cook, who was parked outside a school while dropping off her daughter for cheerleading practice.

Cook explained she was using a friend’s car and had just learned her friend had undergone heart surgery. Furman approached her, saying the vehicle’s registration had expired and it lacked insurance.

The interaction escalated when Furman asked for her driver’s license, and Cook replied “one second” while answering a phone call from her mother.

“You’re in a traffic stop—don’t tell me one second,” Furman responded. “This is a public access parking lot. I have jurisdiction. Follow instructions without the attitude.”

Furman then called for backup and claimed he feared for his safety, although Cook had shown no signs of aggression.

“I gave you a lawful order, and I’m concerned for my safety because you’re not complying,” he stated. “Hand me your ID and your keys.”

Cook replied, “I’m worried about my safety.”

That’s when Furman used his taser and forcibly removed her from the car, commanding her to lie on the ground with her hands behind her back.

“When I say something, you do it,” he yelled. “You made me fear for my safety.”

“You terrified me,” he added after she was handcuffed.

Cook was jailed and charged with resisting arrest, interfering with police, and driving with a suspended license—all charges that were later dismissed by prosecutors.

“He shouldn’t be wearing a badge,” Cook later told WXYZ. “Nobody should be forced to deal with someone who values authority more than basic humanity.”

Previous Incidents and Disciplinary History

Just three months later, in July 2024, Furman tasered another Black individual, Drakkar Williams, who had been pulled over for driving around traffic cones. Williams was also dragged out of his car and charged with resisting arrest and giving false information. These charges were dropped, but he pleaded guilty to minor infractions including a suspended license and dark-tinted windows.

In January, Williams filed a lawsuit accusing Furman and another officer of assault, negligence, and wrongful arrest, as reported by WXYZ.

The Michigan State Police are now investigating Furman’s handling of that case. However, this is not Furman’s first time under scrutiny.

Back in 2016, he was fired for after dragging a woman from her vehicle in front of her children for lacking insurance. That was later overturned by the city’s Public Safety Committee, according to WXYZ.

Later that same year, Furman slammed the head of a handcuffed robbery suspect into a patrol car, leaving a deep gash. Two officers who witnessed the event testified that the force was excessive, with one describing it as “way over the line.”