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Detroit Police Chief Drops Bid to Fire Officers Who Called Border Patrol as Board Orders 30-Day Unpaid Suspensions

A suspended sergeant has asked a federal judge to block the punishment, saying she followed a supervisor’s direction to identify a driver.

Overview

  • Detroit’s Board of Police Commissioners voted 10–0 after a lengthy closed session to suspend Sgt. Denise Wallet and Officer James Corsi for 30 days without pay, with medical benefits retained.
  • The discipline stems from Dec. 16, 2025, and Feb. 9, 2026 traffic stops where the officers contacted Border Patrol; in both cases, federal agents detained the individuals.
  • Department policy forbids Detroit officers from engaging in immigration enforcement or using federal agents for translation, and a routine body‑worn camera audit flagged the incidents.
  • Chief Todd Bettison, who had previously sought terminations, said Friday he will not pursue firing and pledged to continue enforcing DPD policies.
  • Wallet filed a federal lawsuit seeking reinstatement with pay and arguing she acted on a lieutenant’s direction to confirm identity, as ICE and DHS posted public reactions criticizing the discipline and encouraging the officers.