In a recent incident that has sparked considerable public concern, an officer from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office in Atlanta was dismissed following the emergence of a dashcam video. The footage captured a disturbing scene where Deputy Michael McMaster forcefully brought down Tyler Canaris, a 30-year-old resident, during an arrest. The event, which has now led to an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), occurred under the suspicion of Canaris being involved in local car break-ins.

This officer (Michael McMaster) was fired for that. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/cqEyFzgQDf

— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) February 1, 2024

On the day of the incident, Canaris was on his way to work when he was confronted by McMaster, who believed Canaris matched the description of the suspect they were searching for. The situation escalated when Canaris, asserting his innocence, refused to hand over his backpack, leading to the deputy employing physical force. The dashcam video vividly shows McMaster lifting and then slamming Canaris onto the ground, an action that resulted in significant injuries to Canaris, including a broken collarbone, a fractured skull, and a concussion.

The aftermath of the incident has been fraught with challenges for Canaris, who now faces substantial medical bills and difficulties in performing his work duties. Additionally, he has been charged with obstructing an officer, a claim his attorneys are vigorously contesting. They argue that the video clearly shows Canaris was not resisting arrest and have called for the immediate dismissal of the charges against him. The lawyers have also highlighted a pattern of aggressive behavior in McMaster’s history, referring to his nickname “McTaser” and pointing out that previous warnings to him were only regarding his harsh language and audio equipment.

In response to the public outcry and the severity of the incident, the sheriff’s office has placed McMaster on desk duty and requested the GBI to conduct a thorough investigation into the use of force. Canaris’s attorneys are planning to file a civil suit against McMaster and the county, and they are urging the Department of Justice to conduct an independent investigation. The incident has significantly affected Canaris’s trust in law enforcement, a sentiment that is likely echoed by many who have seen the video.

This case is a stark reminder of the ongoing debates and concerns regarding the use of excessive force by law enforcement and the need for accountability and transparency in such incidents​.