Detroit’s police chief is seeking to terminate two officers after they allegedly contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during routine traffic stops involving illegal aliens.
City leaders argue that reporting illegal aliens to CBP violates long-standing department policy barring cooperation in federal immigration enforcement.
Police Chief Todd Bettison confirmed the officers have been suspended.
Bettison said he has formally requested that the city’s Board of Police Commissioners approve their dismissal, according to FOX 2 Detroit.
He stated that the Detroit Police Department does not participate in immigration enforcement activities and said the officers’ actions led to detentions that run counter to departmental rules.
City Officials Back Termination
Local Democrat leaders quickly voiced support for the disciplinary action.
Radical Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) said she agrees with Bettison’s decision.
“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 went further, accusing the officers of biased policing.
“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,” she added.
“That is biased policing.
“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.”
Mayor Mary Sheffield’s administration echoed that position.
“This administration will reinforce the long-standing 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.
Questions About Consistency
Not everyone is convinced that termination is proportionate, however.
Retired Detroit Police Assistant Chief Steve Dolunt acknowledged that contacting Border Patrol during routine stops violates policy, but questioned whether the punishment aligns with past internal discipline.
“To contact Border Patrol?” Dolunt said.
“No, that’s against policy.
“That being said, there have been a lot more egregious things that have occurred in the police department, and people have not been terminated.”
The case underscores ongoing tensions in Democrat-controlled major cities over the role local law enforcement should play, if any, in assisting federal immigration authorities.
While Detroit leadership is doubling down on a strict separation from federal immigration enforcement, the disciplinary push highlights how quickly officers can face termination for actions city officials believe jeopardize community trust.
The Board of Police Commissioners will ultimately decide whether to approve Bettison’s request to fire the two officers.
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