Chief Bettison Bows to Open-Borders Crowd [WATCH]

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said he supports a unanimous decision by the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners to suspend two officers without pay for 30 days after they contacted federal immigration authorities during traffic stops, and confirmed he will no longer pursue their termination.

Bettison had initially suspended Sergeant Denise Wallet and Officer James Corsi with pay while the matter was under review.

On Thursday night, the Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously to suspend the officers without pay for 30 days.

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The suspensions stem from separate incidents in which Bettison said Wallet and Corsi contacted Border Patrol during traffic stops, resulting in two motorists being detained by federal agents.

Last week, Bettison appeared before the board and said that the overwhelming majority of Detroit Police Department officers follow the rules.

He said 99% or 98% of his officers are doing the job right every day, but when 1 or 2% decide to violate department rules, he intends to hold them accountable.

Initially, Bettison had planned to fire the two officers.

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Following the board’s vote, he announced he would not move forward with termination.

In a statement addressing the decision, Bettison said, “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.”

He continued, “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.”

Sergeant Denise Wallet filed a 17-page lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in an effort to prevent her firing before Bettison reversed course.

In the complaint, Wallet states that she followed orders and did not violate department policy.

According to the lawsuit, Wallet, a 27-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department, responded to a scene on Feb. 9 after a driver presented a photo of what was believed to be a fake driver’s license.

The suit states that Wallet asked her lieutenant for guidance and was instructed to contact Border Patrol for identification purposes.

Border agents later determined that the individual was in the United States illegally and took him into custody, according to the lawsuit.

The actions by Wallet and Corsi occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Michigan and across the country related to increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, as well as protests and arrests tied to immigration enforcement.

The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners serves as an oversight body for the department, reviewing disciplinary matters and policies.

In this case, the board reviewed video and other evidence before issuing its decision to impose 30-day unpaid suspensions.

With the board’s action now final and Bettison declining to seek termination, both officers will face the unpaid suspensions but remain employed by the department.

Bettison indicated that enforcement of department policy will remain a priority moving forward.

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