Detroit Police Chief Seeks Termination of Officers for Unauthorized Immigration Enforcement
DETROIT, Mich. — Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison has taken decisive action against two officers accused of breaching department policy by contacting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during routine traffic stops. The officers’ actions, which led to detentions, violated longstanding rules that prohibit Detroit police from engaging in federal immigration enforcement. Chief Bettison suspended the officers and has formally requested the city’s Board of Police Commissioners to approve their termination.
According to Chief Bettison, the Detroit Police Department maintains a strict policy of non-involvement in immigration enforcement to preserve community trust and ensure public safety. The unauthorized calls to CBP ran counter to this policy and risked undermining the department’s relationship with Detroit’s diverse population.
The department’s stance aligns with broader law enforcement practices in many U.S. cities that separate local policing from federal immigration duties. This approach aims to encourage cooperation between immigrant communities and local police without fear of deportation or federal immigration actions. The Department of Homeland Security outlines federal immigration enforcement protocols but leaves local enforcement participation to the discretion of individual jurisdictions.
Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows that federal immigration agents primarily handle immigration-related detentions and investigations. Local police departments, including Detroit’s, generally do not participate in these activities to avoid conflicts with community policing goals.
Chief Bettison emphasized that the department’s policy is designed to foster trust and cooperation with all residents, particularly immigrant communities, who may otherwise hesitate to report crimes or assist in investigations. The unauthorized actions by the officers not only violated policy but also jeopardized this vital trust.
The move to terminate the officers follows their suspension pending an internal investigation, underscoring the department’s commitment to accountability and adherence to established protocols. The case highlights ongoing tensions in some cities over the role of local police in immigration enforcement, a subject that has drawn national attention and debate.
The Detroit Police Department’s position reflects a growing trend among urban law enforcement agencies to distance themselves from federal immigration enforcement efforts, a stance supported by various civil rights organizations and community advocates. The American Civil Liberties Union has frequently criticized local involvement in immigration enforcement, arguing it can erode public safety by discouraging immigrant cooperation.
As the Board of Police Commissioners reviews Chief Bettison’s request, the department reaffirms its dedication to policies that protect community relations and uphold the integrity of local law enforcement. The outcome of this case may serve as a precedent for how Detroit and other cities handle similar incidents in the future.
For more information on federal immigration enforcement policies, visit the Immigration and Customs Enforcement website. The Detroit Police Department continues to monitor the situation closely and remains committed to transparent communication with the public.
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