DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Detroit police officer is fired and behind bars for allegedly trafficking drugs. The fifth precinct officer had been with the force for just over a year and was still on probation when an internal affairs investigation lead to her firing.
“It is a betrayal. It stains our badge. It affects us all," said Detroit Police Chief James Craig.
Craig, just hours after firing the officer, said DPD was made aware of the allegations Sunday morning. An internal investigation was immediately launched and by Sunday night the 29-year-old officer was in custody.
"Search warrants were executed," Craig said. "At some point during the evening we initiated a traffic stop. Her companion was a felon in possession of a stolen firearm. Again she was arrested based on the evidence we recovered from our investigation."
The former fifth precinct patrol officer had been on the force for just over a year. The evidence, Craig said, includes hard drugs.
"At least one of the locations, we did recover rock cocaine and a very small amount of heroin," he said. "It was easy for me based on the information to make a decision to terminate her employment."
The arrest marks the latest suspected wrongdoing by a DPD employee. Back in January, 7 Investigators revealed at the time more than 60 officers had been criminally charged since 2016.
Craig said his department is holding itself accountable with a strong internal affairs unit that's getting rid of the bad apples.
"When you wear that badge, there’s a lot of responsibility that goes with that," Craig said. "Those who sway away from that, and decide to take the public trust for granted? And they engaged in crimes or other misconduct that erodes the public trust, they can no longer be Detroit police officers."
