A Detroit police officer is under scrutiny and may face suspension without pay following a traffic stop incident that ended with a woman being shot six times. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison highlighted multiple policy violations by the officer, including the unapproved use of a firearm against a moving vehicle, failure to call for a supervisor when requested, and initiating a pursuit for a non-violent traffic violation, as reported by CBS News.
The traffic stop took place on Oct. 26, after the officer claimed to have spotted a black Dodge Durango speeding with tinted windows and an obscured license plate. After refusing to comply with the officer's reason for the stop and requesting to speak with another officer, the situation escalated, resulting in the officer firing shots at her vehicle when she reportedly drove toward them. This was during a second high-speed chase that ensued after an initial attempt to apprehend the woman, according to details provided by Hoodline.
Bettison, expressing concern over the procedural failings, said, "The actions of the officer in violating our policy are not consistent with what should be done." He has requested that the woman involved be released from police custody, as she will not face charges, and stated the department's commitment to accountability in policy violations. Michigan State Police has been tasked with an internal investigation, and a warrant request related to the incident has been filed with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, as per information from CBS News.
At a press briefing, Detroit police officials clarified the mandatory nature of proper vehicle registration and the illegality of fleeing and eluding, which is considered a felony in Michigan. The woman, who was shot in her arms and legs, is in stable condition, and no officers were harmed during the incident. In addition, body camera footage is expected to be released as part of the ongoing investigation, as noted by Hoodline. However, the Detroit police chief has declined to release the body camera footage until state police complete their inquiry into the case. The officer involved, who had been on the job for just under two years, did not have any pending disciplinary cases against them up until the incident.
