HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – A secret investigation, a police chief off the job and rumors swirling through Hamtramck as to why. Police Chief Max Garbarino was escorted out of the department Friday and told to turn in his badge, computer, flash drive and car.
Garbarino is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
In a phone conversation Garbarino told Local 4 he has no idea what the accusations against him are and declined an interview on camera until that's revealed.
Garbarino isn't the only one in the dark as to what the investigation is targeting.
"This was a complete surprise to me," said Mayor Karen Majewski. "I had seen Chief Garbarino in the morning and had no inkling at all this was coming down."
Sources told Local 4 the investigation centers around missing police documentation.
Garbarino has been with Hamtramck PD since 2001. He was made chief in 2012.
Lt. Anne Moise has been named interim chief.