Getting Results with POAM’s Extended Legal Program
The Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) Extended Legal Representation Program is an essential member benefit, offering critical legal protection and advocacy, particularly in challenging situations. This program ensures that officers have access to comprehensive legal coverage for criminal charges, whether they occur on or off duty. A key feature is that POAM selects experienced attorneys to represent members throughout all post-indictment and post-complaint/warrant stages of prosecution.
In a recent case involving a member, the benefits of this program were clearly demonstrated. The officers faced significant legal challenges, but thanks to the POAM Extended Legal Representation Program, they received expert legal defense without the burden of out-of-pocket legal representation costs.
Having access to experienced legal counsel from the moment charges were filed ensured a well-prepared defense and invaluable support through each stage of the legal process.
At $60 per year, this program offers exceptional value and peace of mind, providing critical protection when needed.
In addition to legal representation, POAM remains a full-service labor organization. It assists members with negotiations, grievance handling, and legislative advocacy, ensuring their interests are fully represented both in and out of the courtroom.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office brought an assault and battery charge against Officer Zyke Bailey stemming from an arrest of a suspect that occurred on June 19, 2023. Officer Bailey and another Dearborn Heights police officer were dispatched to the scene of a homeowner who had been assaulted. Subsequently, Officer Bailey and that officer located the suspect leaving a local liquor store. The officers stopped and spoke with the highly agitated suspect until the officer in charge could arrive. The suspect appeared to be under the influence and, on numerous occasions, stated he would not be getting into their police car today.
The decision was made by the officer in charge to arrest the suspect who immediately became uncooperative, refusing to give the officers his arms or be taken into custody. After failing to cooperate, the suspect was taken to the ground with officers on each side trying to gain control of his arms. Officer Bailey assumed the center position when the suspect began swinging his head in a dangerous manner. The suspect later testified he was ‘fighting’ with his neck because he didn’t want to go down. Officer Bailey was pushing down on the suspect’s head to force him to comply. The suspect’s head did hit the ground during the scuffle. Thankfully, Officer Bailey was intuitive enough to ensure that all the officers’ body cameras were on before they initiated the arrest. The entire incident was also caught on store surveillance as well as the in car police camera.
The trial took place before the Honorable Samuel Salamey in Dearborn’s 19th District Court. On September 30, 2024, Officer Bailey was acquitted by a jury of his peers. The jury only took a couple of hours to review the evidence in the case and acquit Officer Bailey, reaching a unanimous verdict. POAM Assistant General Counsel Douglas Gutscher represented Officer Bailey under the POAM Extended Legal Plan and was thankful for the proper decision. ‘We were extremely disappointed in the decision to bring a charge against Officer Bailey in the first place and would have been even more infuriated had the district attorney followed through on their original plan to seek a felony charge in this case,’ said Gutscher. ‘The POAM legal staff worked numerous hours and expended a tremendous amount of our resources to defend Officer Bailey.’
Extended Legal Program
If you or your group is not currently enrolled in the POAM Extended Legal Plan, please don’t wait for a critical incident to happen before you ask for more information. You perform a dangerous job, and with prosecutions like this happening more frequently, you need to ensure professional and experienced attorneys are on your side, protecting your career and your family’s financial security.
Contact your Business Agent or POAM online to sign up.