Two Detroit Police Department officers have been suspended without pay for 30 days after contacting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during separate traffic stops, in violation of department policy.
Detroit Police Department Chief Todd Bettison has said his goal is to fire both officers.
The department’s policy prohibits officers from coordinating with federal immigration authorities for enforcement purposes.
The traffic stops in question took place in December and earlier this month.
In the first case, Officer James Corsi contacted Border Patrol during a traffic stop on the city’s west side while investigating a felony warrant.
In the second, Sgt. Denise Wallet called federal agents for translation assistance instead of using the department’s contracted 24-hour translation service.
Both contacts led to the individuals being detained by federal authorities.
Chief Bettison initially suspended the officers with pay and stated his intention to fire them. The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously on Thursday to suspend them without pay for 30 days.
Sgt. Wallet, a 27-year veteran, filed a federal lawsuit against the city challenging her suspension and claiming it violated her constitutional rights. The suit alleges that she contacted Border Patrol only for identification purposes, on her lieutenant’s instruction, and seeks to block further discipline.
Following the board’s decision and the lawsuit, Chief Bettison announced on Friday that he was scrapping his plan to fire the officers, stating that he was satisfied with the suspension, according to a CBS News report.
The statement read as follows:
“Policies are meant to provide structure and limits for officers to protect them and citizens alike. When policies are not followed, whether in this matter or DPD’s no-pursuit policy, it puts the community at risk.
I support the actions of the board as the ultimate discipline for these officers. The Board had the opportunity to review all the video and consider all the facts and circumstances in their decision. The role of the Board is to serve as an oversight body and a check and balance for the police department and I fully respect its role. Therefore, I am satisfied with the Board’s decision and I will not be pursuing termination of these two officers.
This incident should make it clear, however, that as Chief, I will continue to vigorously enforce DPD’s policies.”
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