Detroit Police Chief Moves to Terminate Officers for Violating Immigration Enforcement Policy
The police chief of Detroit is taking steps to terminate two officers who allegedly contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection during routine traffic stops, violating department policy. Chief Todd Bettison emphasized that the officers' actions led to detentions and went against the department's rules on federal immigration enforcement.
The two officers have been suspended, and Chief Bettison has requested approval from the city's Board of Police Commissioners to terminate them. The Detroit Police Department does not engage in immigration enforcement activities and values community trust as crucial to public safety efforts.
Representative Rashida Tlaib expressed support for the officers' dismissal, emphasizing the importance of community trust in law enforcement. Detroit Councilwoman Mary Waters criticized the officers' behavior, labeling it as biased policing and stressing that the police department has no involvement in immigration enforcement.
Retired Detroit Police Assistant Chief Steve Dolunt noted that contacting CBP during routine stops violates department policy but questioned if termination was consistent with past disciplinary actions. The city administration reiterated its stance that the Detroit Police Department does not participate in federal immigration enforcement.
The administration emphasized the city's commitment to upholding the policy that the Detroit Police Department does not engage in federal immigration enforcement. Further comments from the Detroit Police Department and the mayor's office are pending.