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Muslim Organization Plans Legal Action Against Dearborn PD After Altercation

DEARBORN (WWJ) - Does the video tell the story?

Two dramatically different versions are at play regarding an incident that took place when Dearborn police stopped and arrested a man riding a bike in the early morning hours last December.

The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is planning legal action against the Dearborn Police Department for allegedly assaulting a mentally impaired resident.

Dearborn police have officially signed off on the handling of the subject -- saying everything that occurred was within proper police procedure.

Dearborn Police use excessive force against local man by TheArabAmericanNews on YouTube

Ali Baydoun, 26, was riding his bike on Gould Street, near Warren Avenue and Chase Road, when he was stopped by police around 4:50 a.m. on Dec. 7, 2013.

Police say several things about Baydoun caught their attention that morning: He wasn't dressed properly for the 20 degree weather, his bike did not have a light, he disregarded several stop signs and he stopped near a vehicle parked in the street.

"Mr. Beydoun was on a bike at 4:47 a.m. in a neighborhood that has experienced auto thefts and break-ins," police said in a statement. "It is common for criminals to use a bike when traveling to an area to steal cars. Autos have been stolen in cold weather when owners start them, but leave them unattended to warm up."

When stopped by police, Beydoun apparently couldn't produce an ID, tell officers his name or explain where he had come from.

"The officer then indicated that he was going to conduct a pat down for weapons. That is when Mr. Beydoun began to resist and pull away from the officer," police said.

According to the police report, the officer performed an "inside takedown" and brought Beydoun to the ground. The officer said during the incident, Beydoun continually attempted to reach for his waistband, leading the officer to believe he might have been armed.

Most of the incident was caught on police cameras, although a majority of the struggle takes place out of frame. Throughout the incident, Beydoun screams loudly and repeatedly tells the officers "No" and "Stop it."

At one point, it appears as if one of the officers kicks Beydoun multiple times. After several minutes, and now with at least five officers on the scene, Beydoun was finally subdued, placed in handcuffs and put in the back of a squad car.

Police say Beydoun did not appear to be injured following the incident, and was not arrested. Instead, he was transported to Oakwood Hospital for suspected mental health issues and a family member was contacted.

"A thorough Police Department review of an incident in December 2013 involving Ali Beydoun, who resisted police officers' lawful instructions, resulting in the necessary use of force, showed the officers acted and reported the incident appropriately and according to approved department protocols," police said.

CAIR, a Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, has called a Thursday news conference to discuss the incident.

 

 

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