In May 2018, Trooper Michael Thomas was accused of using excessive force during a search warrant execution in Lapeer County. A federal lawsuit alleged he punched a suspect multiple times and deployed a Taser on him without warning:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}. In 2022, a judge denied Thomas qualified immunity for his Taser use—allowing the excessive force claim against him to proceed—while dismissing other claims:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}. (Thomas remains employed with the department pending the case outcome.)
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