by P.D. Lesko

County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer illegally used discretionary appointments rather than a public, open hiring process to fill positions in her dept. Dyer appointed a Dir. of Innovation, a Dir. of Operations and a Dir. of HR and Training. The Michigan AG confirmed that Dyer must comply with Michigan’s MCL 51 SHERIFFS Revised Statutes of 1846 Chapter 14. The Statute sets forth exactly whom Sheriffs may appoint: deputy sheriffs and undersheriffs. Dyer’s appointment of Jeremiah Richardson, Cynthia Harrison and Crystal Campbell were improper under MCL 51.70 and MCL 51.71. MCL 51 Sheriffs Chapter 14 is designed to stop county sheriff’s from abusing the appointment process, as Dyer has done.

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office confirmed that Dyer is required to adhere to MCL 51 SHERIFFS Revised Statutes of 1846, when making appointments in compliance with MCL 51.

Sheriff Dyer has the legal authority to appoint one undersheriff and as many licensed deputy sheriffs as she likes, and they serve at her pleasure. She has no authority to appoint any other employees. Rather, the Sheriff must must hire other employees by publicly posting jobs for which any applicant may apply and be considered for, as required by state and federal law (no discriminating on race, religion, sex, etc….).

Dyer’s former romantic partner Jeremiah Richardson resigned from his position as deputy sheriff on Dec. 10, 2022 and state records show his license as a law enforcement officer as inactive. His Michigan State Police Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) record shows that Richardson was still under a Separation of Service investigation by MCOLES as of Feb. 6, 2025. The latest decision by the Michigan State Police regarding Richardson’s departure from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office while under investigation is that the organization will monitor for any policing activity by Richardson.

It would be very difficult for Richardson to ever again reactivate his license as a police officer.

Dyer, likewise, resigned her position as a deputy sheriff on Nov. 19, 2020, and her license is also inactive. Former Sheriff Jerry Clayton had not obtained licensure from the State of Michigan. Sheriffs are not required to be licensed police officers.

In an email in response to questions about Richardson’s employment, Sheriff Dyer wrote, “He now holds an appointed position — a decision I have full authority to make — and we needed someone with law enforcement experience to fill a critical vacancy in training and HR management.”

Michigan law and the Michigan AG disagree that Sheriff Dyer had the “full authority” to appoint Richardson to head the WCSO HR Dept.

In appointing Jeremiah Richardson, her former romantic and policing partner to his current position, Sheriff Dyer violated MCL 51.242.

Only a Sheriff in a county with a population that exceeds 400,000 may appoint “clerks and employees.” Even then, the oversight of exactly how many clerks and employees a Sheriff may appoint rests with the members of a County’s Board of Commissioners, its elected officials.

In January 2025, Dyer announced her appointment of Undersheriff Matt Harshberger, the former Chief of Police in Pittsfield Twp., an appointment that was permitted by MCL 51.70 and MCL 51.71.

Dyer violated Michigan law when she appointed Cynthia Harrison as her “Director of Innovation.” MCL 51 required the Sheriff to conduct a hiring for a Dir. of Innovation. Likewise, Dyer violated Michigan law when she appointed the County Administrator’s Dir. of Communications, Crystal Campbell, as the Sheriff’s “Director of Operations.”

In appointing Richardson, Harrison and Campbell, Sheriff Dyer violated MCL 51.364: 51.364 Appointment or selection contrary to rules; refusal to comply to or violates act; penalty.
Sec. 14. Whoever makes an appointment to office, or selects a person for employment contrary to the provisions of the rules and regulations as adopted under the authority of this act, or wilfully refuses or neglects otherwise to comply with or conform to any of the provisions of this act, or violates any of such provisions, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors under the provisions of this act shall be punishable by a fine of not less $100.00 nor more than $1,000.00, or by imprisonment in a state prison for a term not exceeding 2 years, or by both fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.

Sheriff Dyer was asked in an email to comment on whether she intends to adhere to Michigan law. She is required to rescind her illegal appointments, publicly post the three jobs and go through a hiring process for all three positions.

In the meantime, the Sheriff is using public funds to pay her three illegal political appointees.