GBI Opens Use-Of-Force Review Into Paulding County Deputy

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an external review of a deputy's use of force against a suspect during a March 2022 arrest, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office announced Saturday.

According to a statement released by Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge, on March 4, Deputy Michael McMaster responded to a report of a suspicious person wearing a hoodie and a backpack and attempting to break into a vehicle in the Evans Mill subdivision, authorities said. The incident happened around 6 a.m.

When McMaster arrived at the location of the call, authorities said he saw 30-year-old Tyler Lee Canaris walking near the entrance to the subdivision. Canaris was wearing a hoodie and a backpack and appeared to match the description of the person reported by callers, police said.

According to authorities, McMaster approached Mr. Canaris, who "repeatedly refused to comply" with McMaster's demands to take off his backpack and place his hands behind his back. Authorities said McMaster used force to get Canaris on the ground and arrest him.

Medics evaluated Canaris before he was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, authorities said.

According to Gulledge's statement, the agency requested an outside review by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The review is underway.