DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Detroit police sergeant has been taken off the street while the department probes why she left the scene of a domestic violence call despite evidence that 36-year-old Catilin Tressler may have been in danger.
Watch Ross Jones' video report:
On Friday, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said the sergeant should have entered the home of Tressler and her boyfriend, rather than clearing the scene despite evidence of possible abuse. Tressler has been missing since March 27.
"The sergeant was in charge of that scene," Bettison told Channel 7's Ross Jones. "Should not have left that scene without physically observing her. I think there was definitely grounds for entry and further observation."
The officers were dispatched to the home on Webb Street near Linwood following a report of domestic violence. According to sources, officers arrived after 10 p.m. but never entered the home.
Previous report: Detroit police name boyfriend as person of interest in disappearance of 36-year-old Caitlin Tressler
Instead, they spoke to Tressler through an open window. and talked to her boyfriend through a closed door and closed window.
The caller who alerted police said the suspect — Tressler’s boyfriend — had “access to (a) blade,” and officers who responded are said to have known he was in possession of a knife.
Tressler, sources say, told officers that she may have suffered a concussion and had a black eye.
The sergeant and officers were at the scene for around 40 minutes, sources say, but would ultimately leave. Tressler has been missing ever since.
“She’s a veteran member of this department,” Bettison said of the sergeant at the scene. “This is elementary. Based off the circumstances, entry should have been made."
Previous report: Detroit police search for Caitlin Tressler, missing as troubling details emerge about boyfriend
Neighbors report that Tressler's boyfriend packed up and left town in a U-Haul truck the next day after police were called. He has been labeled a person of interest.
The sergeant who responded to that scene is on administrative duty — not interacting with the public — while internal affairs continues its investigation.
Contact 7 Investigator ross.jones@wxyz.com or at (248) 827-9466.