DETROIT, MI – A Detroit Police officer is facing possible suspension after the chief of police cited multiple alleged policy violations linked to a traffic stop where a female driver was nonfatally shot multiple times by the officer in question.
A traffic stop from earlier in October escalated from a simple window tint and speeding violation to a pursuit involving police gunfire, with Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison claiming the officer involved in the shooting deviated from policy numerous times during the incident.
Authorities say the traffic stop was initiated on October 26th near the area of Van Dyke and Eight Mile Road, with the unnamed officer reportedly asking the driver for her license. Despite initial claims the driver refused to provide said documentation, Chief Bettison clarified during an October 27th press briefing that footage from the incident shows the driver providing her license but was instead only argumentative over the reason behind the stop.
During the dispute regarding the purpose of the traffic stop, Chief Bettison said the female driver called 911 after she’d asked the unnamed officer multiple times to bring a supervisor to the scene. “If a supervisor had been called, I don't think it would have went this way,” Chief Bettison stated after noting the officer simply requested backup to the scene rather than a supervisor.
When backup arrived at the scene of the traffic stop, Chief Bettison said the initial officer tried to extricate the woman from her vehicle while one of the backup officers deployed pepper spray. The chief of police said the woman was able to make her way back into her vehicle and flee the scene, with the unnamed officer immediately engaging in pursuit down Van Dyke.
Chief Bettison stated the woman’s vehicle was eventually surrounded by police vehicles, with the unnamed officer reportedly ordering her to exit the vehicle whilst opening fire. After the first eruption of police gunfire, Chief Bettison said the woman tried to drive away once again, leading to the unnamed officer issuing two more warnings before firing multiple shots at the woman’s vehicles.
According to the chief of police, the pursuit ultimately ended at a Detroit Police facility, with the woman having suffered six gunshot wounds during the incident. Chief Bettison noted that the woman was treated at an area hospital before being released into police custody but also added that there are plans to have her released from custody and all pending charges against her dropped.
As for the unnamed officer involved in the shooting, Chief Bettison stated the individual is facing suspension without pay while an internal review plays out, saying, “The Detroit Police Department has policies in place for a reason. We are a constitutional police department, and I definitely will hold officers accountable for policy violations.”
Aside from the alleged policy violations stemming from the incident, it appears as though a criminal investigation is also underway regarding the unnamed officer. The Michigan State Police are conducting an investigation into the incident, Chief Bettison stated, with a warrant request slated for submission to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office per standard procedure.
A traffic stop from earlier in October escalated from a simple window tint and speeding violation to a pursuit involving police gunfire, with Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison claiming the officer involved in the shooting deviated from policy numerous times during the incident.
Authorities say the traffic stop was initiated on October 26th near the area of Van Dyke and Eight Mile Road, with the unnamed officer reportedly asking the driver for her license. Despite initial claims the driver refused to provide said documentation, Chief Bettison clarified during an October 27th press briefing that footage from the incident shows the driver providing her license but was instead only argumentative over the reason behind the stop.
During the dispute regarding the purpose of the traffic stop, Chief Bettison said the female driver called 911 after she’d asked the unnamed officer multiple times to bring a supervisor to the scene. “If a supervisor had been called, I don't think it would have went this way,” Chief Bettison stated after noting the officer simply requested backup to the scene rather than a supervisor.
When backup arrived at the scene of the traffic stop, Chief Bettison said the initial officer tried to extricate the woman from her vehicle while one of the backup officers deployed pepper spray. The chief of police said the woman was able to make her way back into her vehicle and flee the scene, with the unnamed officer immediately engaging in pursuit down Van Dyke.
Chief Bettison stated the woman’s vehicle was eventually surrounded by police vehicles, with the unnamed officer reportedly ordering her to exit the vehicle whilst opening fire. After the first eruption of police gunfire, Chief Bettison said the woman tried to drive away once again, leading to the unnamed officer issuing two more warnings before firing multiple shots at the woman’s vehicles.
According to the chief of police, the pursuit ultimately ended at a Detroit Police facility, with the woman having suffered six gunshot wounds during the incident. Chief Bettison noted that the woman was treated at an area hospital before being released into police custody but also added that there are plans to have her released from custody and all pending charges against her dropped.
As for the unnamed officer involved in the shooting, Chief Bettison stated the individual is facing suspension without pay while an internal review plays out, saying, “The Detroit Police Department has policies in place for a reason. We are a constitutional police department, and I definitely will hold officers accountable for policy violations.”
Aside from the alleged policy violations stemming from the incident, it appears as though a criminal investigation is also underway regarding the unnamed officer. The Michigan State Police are conducting an investigation into the incident, Chief Bettison stated, with a warrant request slated for submission to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office per standard procedure.
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