DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – Two police officers have filed a civil lawsuit against the Dearborn Heights Police Department, the city of Dearborn, and a former sergeant, who now works at the Ann Arbor Police Department.
Ann Arbor police issued a statement regarding the former DHPD Sergeant. After learning of the allegations, they placed the officer on administrative leave pending further review.
“The Ann Arbor Police Department is aware of serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving a current officer.
The alleged incidents occurred several years prior to the officer’s employment with our agency and while they were employed with another law enforcement organization.
Upon learning of the allegations, we took immediate steps to:Initiate an internal review in accordance with our policies and procedures.
Place the officer on administrative leave, pending further review.
While we are limited in what we can disclose due to privacy laws and the integrity of the investigation, we want to make clear we are committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the highest standards in law enforcement."
Ann Arbor police Chief Andre Anderson
They allege persistent sexual misconduct by their former supervisor and a culture of silence within the department.
“The superiors were complicit and failed to take action and protect their own police officers,” said attorney Jon Marko, who is representing the plaintiffs. “If Dearborn Heights police can’t protect their own police officers, how are they supposed to protect you?”
--> Attorney describes ‘pervasive’ sexual misconduct claims in lawsuit against Dearborn Heights police
The plaintiffs are officers Maxwell Bearden and Sgt. Hashim Zrien, both of whom served under former Sergeant and union president Jordan Dottor. Bearden joined the department in November 2021. Zrien had served since 2014.
The Ann Arbor Police Department issued a statement
Allegations of Harassment and Assault
The lawsuit accuses Dottor of sending sexually explicit messages and nude photos to Bearden shortly after he was hired.
It further alleges Dottor escalated to coerced sexual acts, some of which were reportedly recorded and took place on department property, including the basement and Dottor’s office.
The suit accuses the department of fostering a hostile work environment where officers feared retaliation for reporting misconduct. It alleges leadership failed to intervene or protect their subordinates.
The officers claim they were subjected to harassment and threats, with Dottor allegedly warning: “If anybody finds out about this, I will f***ing make your life hell if anyone finds out, I will know and make sure you don’t work here anymore.”
Bearden is currently on administrative leave due to mental health issues.
Zrien was also suspended at one point. Both officers are seeking damages for emotional distress, PTSD, career disruption, and economic and exemplary damages.
In the suit, Zrien stated that he knows of 10 other colleagues allegedly harassed by Dottor.
“There’s many more who expressed to us similar stories, and we expect by the end of the week there’s going to be even more involved,” Marko said.
Despite the allegations, Dottor is currently employed by the Ann Arbor Police Department and has been since 2023.
When Local 4 contacted Ann Arbor Police, the department said, “No comment.” The mayor of Dearborn Heights has also been contacted, but Local 4 has not heard back yet.
Investigation and Response
On April 9, 2025, the Dearborn Heights Police Department acknowledged it had been informed of an alleged sexual assault at the department between 2021 and 2022, adding that the officer named in the complaint — Dottor — had not been with the department since 2023.
Sources within the department, however, tell Local 4 that an investigation into the allegations was conducted in 2023 but closed because the officers involved were not forthcoming with information at the time.
Police Chief Ahmed Haidar, who took office in 2025, stated that the department would fully cooperate with the investigation and does not condone any acts of sexual harassment or assault. He emphasized again that the alleged incidents occurred before his tenure and requested that the Michigan State Police (MSP) lead the investigation.
Marko, however, deeply criticizes how the department handled the matter internally, calling the investigation “a joke.”
“The idea that Dearborn Heights would be investigating itself for its own sicko misconduct doesn’t make any sense to me,” Marko said, arguing that an outside agency like MSP should have taken over from the start. “To allow this individual to infect other departments in the state of Michigan, I think that’s scary, and I think the citizens of the state should be worried about that.”
Michigan State Police confirmed it is conducting a criminal investigation, but details remain confidential pending its completion.
They added that it is common practice, when there is a criminal allegation, for a police department to ask state police, or an outside agency, to come in and investigate to not show bias.
--> Dearborn Heights Police Department sued over alleged ‘violent’ sexual misconduct by former sergeant
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