Michigan State Trooper Arrested: Controversial Incident Sparks Legal Action

A video capturing the arrest of a Saginaw man shows a Michigan State Police trooper repeatedly punching the individual, leading to criminal charges being filed against the officer. Trooper Paul E. Arrowood, 43, was arraigned on charges of common law offense or misconduct in office, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and assault and battery, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.

The incident occurred on September 4, when Arrowood and his partner approached 28-year-old Michael D. Wilson, who was walking on the street instead of the sidewalk. Body-camera footage released by the Michigan State Police shows Arrowood initiating contact with Wilson, leading to a physical altercation. In the video, Wilson can be heard pleading with the troopers and asking if their cameras are on.

Arrowood forcefully takes Wilson to the ground and proceeds to punch and knee him while repeatedly using profanity. Additional troopers arrive at the scene, and Wilson is eventually placed against a patrol vehicle. Wilson alleges that he was beaten for no reason and accuses the troopers of racism.

The troopers find a knife on the ground, which Wilson claims to be his own and had purchased a few days earlier. Wilson is then placed in a patrol vehicle, and an EMT assesses his injuries at the scene. Wilson was initially lodged in the Saginaw County Jail on a charge of assaulting, resisting, or obstructing police, but prosecutors declined to charge him for the September 4 incident. However, Wilson was charged separately in November for a different interaction with the Saginaw police.

Following the incident, Arrowood was suspended by the Michigan State Police on September 30 and will remain on unpaid suspension until his criminal case is resolved. The Michigan State Police released a statement condemning Arrowood’s actions and emphasizing their commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect.

The agency also announced that two other use-of-force cases involving troopers are pending prosecutor review, which could result in criminal charges. The Michigan State Police is conducting a comprehensive review to identify improvements and prevent similar situations in the future. This includes accountability measures for supervisors, evaluations of use-of-force training, and an emphasis on de-escalation training.

During Arrowood’s arraignment, a not-guilty plea was entered by his attorney, who argued for bond by stating that Arrowood has no criminal history, resides in Flushing, and is not a flight risk. The judge set a $7,500 personal recognizance bond for Arrowood, with the condition that he have no contact with the alleged victim.

In a previous internal investigation in October 2020, Arrowood was found to have violated departmental policies during a traffic stop involving a legally owned pistol. The investigation cleared another trooper involved in the incident but found Arrowood to be in violation. The corrective actions taken against Arrowood were not disclosed due to legal constraints, but it was assured that steps would be taken to prevent such behavior in the future.

Arrowood is scheduled to appear for a preliminary examination on March 21.