DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – An attorney who filed a lawsuit against Dearborn Heights police described allegations of “pervasive” sexual misconduct with the department.
“We filed a civil rights lawsuit today against the Dearborn Heights Police Department for some sick, pervasive sexual harassment of its own officers,” Attorney Jonathan Marko said.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two officers who came forward with their stories.
--> Dearborn Heights Police Department sued over alleged ‘violent’ sexual misconduct by former sergeant
Marko claims that while two officers are named in the suit, many others have expressed similar experiences, indicating a troubling culture within the department.
The main defendant in the lawsuit is Jordan Dottor, a former sergeant at the Dearborn Heights Police Department.
Marko emphasized that Dotter did not act alone, as he said superiors were complicit and failed to protect their officers.
“If Dearborn Heights police can’t protect their own police officers, how are they supposed to protect you?” Marko asked.
Marko said his understanding is that Dotter remains involved in law enforcement in Ann Arbor.
The two officers who came forward are Maxwell Bearden and Sgt. Hashim Zrien.
“It’s scary for them to come forward,” Marko said, noting that Michigan State Police are investigating some of the claims.
He praised the officers for their bravery and said they didn’t want it to happen to anyone else.
“It doesn’t appear that Dearborn Heights took prompt action while my clients were working there,” Marko said. “To allow this individual to infect other departments in the state of Michigan, I think that’s scary.”
Marko criticized the internal investigation conducted by the Dearborn Heights Police Department.
“The idea that Dearborn Heights would be investigating itself for its own sicko misconduct doesn’t make any sense to me,” Marko said.
Marko believes an outside agency, such as Michigan State Police, should have handled the investigation.
Marko alleges that the harassment included coercive sexual acts within the workplace, leaving the officers in a difficult position.
“It’s a shame that this had to happen,” Marko said.
Marko said that the ultimate goal of the lawsuit was to break the silence surrounding the alleged misconduct.
“We haven’t heard anything from Dearborn Heights,” Marko said.
He said he looks forward to their explanation regarding the alleged misconduct.
Michigan State Police are currently involved in the investigation, although details will remain confidential until it is finalized.
Marko said he looks forward to seeing what it reveals.
“They’re going to have to answer the allegations in the complaint through their lawyers,” Marko said.
Marko said he anticipates that depositions will follow, allowing them to question individuals about the alleged misconduct.
Here is a statement from the Dearborn Heights Police Department:
On April 9, 2025, the Dearborn Heights Police Department was made aware of an incident which led to one of our officers coming forward and sharing information regarding a sexual assault that occurred at the department between 2021 and 2022. The individual that was named in the sexual assault allegations was a Sergeant with the Police Department, but has not been employed with the department since 2023.
Police Chief Ahmed Haidar said the Police Department will fully cooperate with this investigation and does not condone any acts of sexual assault, harassment, and/or behaviors negatively effecting members of this department or citizens. These incidents occurred prior to the arrival of Chief Haidar in 2025.
The Dearborn Heights Police Department has asked the Michigan State Police to head the investigation into the allegations. Due to this being an ongoing investigation, details and personal information cannot be released at this time. For further information regarding the investigation, please contact the Michigan State Police. For all other questions, please contact the Chief’s Office at 313-277-7408.
Watch the full interview below.
