Paulding County Sheriff’s Statement Regarding March 4, 2022 Arrest

(Paulding County, GA) Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge has sought the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to conduct an outside review of a March 4, 2022 arrest and use of force. That review is now underway. The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office will be fully cooperating with all requests and inquiries from the GBI.
At approximately 6:00 AM on March 4, 2022, Deputy Michael McMaster of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious person, who was wearing a hoodie and a backpack, attempting to break into a vehicle in the Evans Mill Subdivision. A short time later, Deputy McMaster arrived at the location and observed Tyler Lee Canaris (W/M, 30 YOA) walking along the roadside at the entrance to the subdivision. Mr. Canaris, who was wearing a hoodie and a backpack, appeared to match the description of the suspect that was provided by dispatch.
Deputy McMaster then approached Mr. Canaris who repeatedly refused to comply with the Deputy’s commands to remove his backpack and place his hands behind his back. Thereafter, Deputy McMaster used force to bring Mr. Canaris to the ground and placed him under arrest. Once arrested, Mr. Canaris was evaluated on the scene by medical personnel. Mr. Canaris was then transported to the hospital by the Sheriff’s Office for medical evaluation.