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Detroit’s top law enforcement official is initiating the dismissal of two officers who purportedly reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection during routine traffic stops, an action that contravenes departmental regulations.
Chief Todd Bettison explained that the officers’ conduct resulted in detentions, directly opposing the department’s long-standing directive against participating in federal immigration enforcement. This information was reported by FOX 2 in Detroit.
In response to this breach, the two officers have been suspended, and Bettison has requested that the city’s Board of Police Commissioners approve their dismissal.
Bettison emphasized that the Detroit Police Department refrains from engaging in immigration enforcement, underscoring the importance of preserving community trust as a cornerstone of public safety initiatives.
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison is advocating for the discharge of two officers who allegedly breached the department’s immigration policy. (WJBK)
The station reported that Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., expressed support for the officers’ dismissal.
“Chief Bettison and I agree that we need to make sure that our community and our residents trust the people who are trying to keep us safe,” Tlaib said.
Detroit Councilwoman Mary Waters criticized the officers’ conduct, suggesting it amounted to biased policing.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib backs the dismissal of two Detroit officers over immigration enforcement contacts. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
“The Detroit Police Department has nothing to do with ICE, immigration, none of that,” Waters said. “That is not their job. So why would you do that? Just because someone had an accent, for real?”
“That is not what you do. That is biased policing,” she added. “That’s exactly what’s happening, and we’re not going to tolerate that kind of behavior against our residents of the City of Detroit.”
Retired Detroit Police Assistant Chief Steve Dolunt weighed in on the disciplinary move, telling the station that contacting CBP during routine stops clearly violates department policy, but he wasn’t sure if termination was consistent with past discipline.
Detroit’s police chief is moving to terminate two officers who contacted CBP during traffic stops, saying the actions violated department policy. (Fox 2 Detroit)
“To contact Border Patrol? No, that’s against policy,” Dolunt said. “That being said, there have been a lot more egregious things that have occurred in the police department and people have not been terminated.”
Mayor Mary Sheffield’s administration also reiterated the city’s position in a statement to the station.
“This administration will reinforce the longstanding policy that the Detroit Police Department does not, in any way, engage in federal immigration enforcement,” said John Roach, the mayor’s media relations director, told the station.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Detroit Police Department and Sheffield’s office for additional comment.